Are you overweight? If yes, then you better be careful. A recent study has warned that being overweight could result in poor memory.

Obesity has been linked to reducing the functioning of the hippocampus. This is the part of the brain, where memory, learning, decision-making, problem-solving abilities and emotions are involved.

Obesity increases diabetes and heart diseases. Not only that it affects psychologically and causes depression and anxiety. The lead author of the study Dr. Lucy Cheke feels that we should understand what drives our consumption and how instinctively regulate our eating habits. This can help reduce the problem of obesity.

Research

There were 50 participants aged between, 18to35.  Their BMI was from 18 through to 51. The participants played a memory game known as the Treasure- Hunt Task. They were asked to hide things in difficult places.

Such as among palm trees in a desert. This activity continued for two days. At the end they were asked the place, time and what kind of objects were hidden. This was done to test their episodic memory.

The researchers found that participants who were of higher BMI scored poorly in these memory tests. The scientists say that the structural and functional changes in the brain due to obesity may also reduce ability to form or retrieve episodic memories.

Episodic memories are the memories related to autobiographical events. What concerns us most is that the participants were young adults. If the majority of young generation is going to suffer impaired memory or brain function. Then this poses a big question about the welfare of the society as a whole.

The researchers say that it is a small study, and we cannot generalize the concept. Anyway, it sounds the alarm bell for healthy eating practices.

Earlier studies have pointed out that weight loss helps improve memory and enhances brain activity.

Bottom line

A balanced diet and an active lifestyle will help boost your brain performance.