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Surprising Science

Fat Hurts the Brain

Several studies have concluded that obesity accelerates the process of dementia. People who are overweight in their 40s are more likely to show a rapid, pronounced decline in brain function in their 70s.

Several studies have concluded that obesity accelerates the process of dementia. People who are overweight in their 40s are more likely to show a rapid, pronounced decline in brain function in their 70s. And even among young people, the overweight tend to have significantly lower gray-matter densities in several brain regions, including those involved with perception and taste. Obese people have also been found to have smaller, more atrophied brains.


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