Fast-food consumption linked to changes in heart blood flow as indicated by PET scans

In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers led by José L. Peñalvo have found potential links between the consumption of ultraprocessed foods and short-term effects on blood flow and cognition.

The study involved 14 healthy adult men, who were randomly assigned to eat one of two meals. One meal was prepared in the hospital kitchen, while the other was prepared at a fast-food restaurant chain. Both meals had similar amounts of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and calories.

Approximately 60 minutes following each meal, participants underwent neuropsychological testing and a cardiac PET/CT scan. The results showed that myocardial blood flow was significantly greater after the ultraprocessed meal compared with the non-ultraprocessed meal, with a mean relative difference of 40.7%.

Moreover, the ultraprocessed meal had a significant impact on cognitive performance. The most consistent effect on cognitive tasks was observed in tasks requiring divided attention, with significantly more errors on a dual task test following the ultraprocessed meal. Exploratory cognitive data suggested modest impairments following the ultraprocessed meal, particularly in attention-related tasks.

The Montreal Heart Institute in Quebec, Canada, has reported similar changes in myocardial blood flow in healthy adults after they consumed ultraprocessed meals. The study calls for further research to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of ultraprocessed foods on vascular and brain function.

However, it's important to note that the small sample size of the study limited its power. The full study is available for reference. The study suggests that ultraprocessed foods may acutely affect vascular and brain function, and calls for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying these effects.