A recent study conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that the types of fats we eat affect memory and other types of brain functions.

Researchers analyzed over 6000 records of women who were at least 45-years-old at the time of the study. The women answered questions about their eating habits and also took a test of cognitive function in two-year intervals over a four-year time span.  

Women who consumed more healthy fats (monosaturated fats, omega 3’s and 6’s) scored higher in the cognitive tests than those who ate more bad fats (saturated fats and trans fats). Also interesting is that quantity of overall fat consumption did not make a difference in the test scores on mental health. The sole differentiator was the type of fat in their diet. 

The Brigham study also confirmed the results of an older study at the Oregon Health & Science University, which also correlated high levels of trans fats with lower mental acuity test scores.

Jon Barron goes on to explain the differences between the types of fats, the different foods these fats are found in, and how they affect your overall health.