Watch out: High-fat diet to cause damage in the human body, and even in the brain!

A diet rich in fat, sugar and ultra-processed foods may do far more harm than previously thought, with new research suggesting it can cause long-term damage to the pancreas and even impair memory after only a short period of indulgence.

New research shows worrysome results

According to researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, obesity caused by a so-called Western diet can lead to structural changes in the pancreas that may not be fully reversible. Foods typically associated with this diet include fast food, deep-fried and breaded meals, and other popular dishes high in fat, salt and sugar. While their negative impact on general health is well known, the new findings highlight a more specific and worrying mechanism, as reported by Haszon.hu.

The scientists focused on the tiny blood vessels supplying the pancreatic islets, also known as the islets of Langerhans. These cell clusters produce vital hormones such as insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels. The study found that obesity disrupts these blood vessels, thickening their walls and reducing blood flow. As a result, insulin struggles to enter the bloodstream efficiently, contributing to elevated blood sugar levels.

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There are other risks as well, and the damage is permanent

Professor Per-Olof Berggren, the study’s lead author, explained that these hidden vascular changes play a key role in the development of glucose intolerance – a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. If left unchecked, this state significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.