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A recent study conducted on rats suggests that the famous sugary drink could have consequences on cognitive decline. A new reason to reduce consumption.
This is not new: the abuse of sugary drinks, such as soda, is harmful to health in many respects. At too high doses, these impact dental health, increase weight gain and the risk of cardiovascular pathologies. But a recent Brazilian study wanted to verify the effects of cola specifically on the brain. The result is worrying.
A behavioral study conducted on rats
To understand the effect of cola on memory and cognitive abilities, the scientific team observed the behavior of three groups of rats, whether or not they drank the famous beverage for two months: one group drank only water, the two others had access to a water/cola mixture, or only cola. The rats were then subjected to several mazes for 10 days to assess their spatial memory. Then the team proceeded to autopsy the brains of the rats involved to analyze the enzymes present in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus, two areas respectively responsible for muscle coordination and memory.
Oxidative stress and memory impairment
What did the researchers discover at the end of their test? That the consumption of cola drinks impaired the memory of the subjects, in the youngest rats involved in the study. That’s not all: the long-term consumption of the drink would also be the cause of oxidative stress, that is to say an attack on cells by free radicals, involved in their premature aging, and this, in all rats participating in the study.
If the study so far only concerns rodents, it is to be added to the multiple calls for vigilance concerning sodas and cola-based drinks, especially towards young people. Last June alone, a new alert was launched on the rise in oral problems encountered by children under 6, who were already drinking too much soda.