Fats found in some biscuits, cakes and processed foods could have a harmful effect on memory, researchers have warned. The fats, known as trans fats, are used both in processed food and in restaurants, often to improve the texture, shelf life or flavour.
They are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to make it more solid, which is why they are often called partially hydrogenated oils.
Now, a study of 1,000 healthy men aged under 45 found those who ate the most trans fat had worse scores in a word memory test.
Study leader of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, said that:
"Trans fats were most strongly linked to worse memory, in young and middle-aged men, during their working and career building years. From a health standpoint, trans fat consumption has been linked to higher body weight, more aggression and heart disease."
Current dietary surveys suggest the daily consumption levels of trans fats should be less than 5 grams. The Food and Drug Administration is taking further steps to reduce the amount of artificial trans fats in the US food supply.
