Milkshakes are considered a delightful treat by many, yet they might be more harmful to your health than you realize.
There are countless flavors available ranging from peanut butter and banana to vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, or caramel, all of which start with a base of milk or ice cream.
Despite their delicious taste, milkshakes could disrupt your body’s balance and may even heighten the risk of serious health conditions later on.
We often consume various items daily that aren’t the best for us, so you might wonder how harmful a simple milkshake could be. The surprising truth lies in its ingredients.
While dietary fat is a necessary part of our nutrition, providing energy, aiding in vitamin transport, and protecting organs, excessive consumption can be detrimental to our health.
A study by the University of South Wales suggests that even a single high-fat meal could impede blood flow to the brain, thus increasing the potential risk for stroke and dementia.
But how do milkshakes fit into this?
Milkshakes are laden with unsaturated fats from dairy products.
These fats can be detrimental to brain health as the brain requires a consistent supply of blood to transport oxygen and glucose, crucial for normal functions.
The brain uses a process called ‘dynamic cerebral autoregulation’ to ensure a stable flow of blood, regardless of blood pressure variations.
If this process is disrupted, managing blood pressure changes becomes challenging, allowing too much blood to reach the brain.
This situation increases the likelihood of developing stroke or dementia.
Foods high in saturated fat elevate blood fat levels, making blood vessels stiffer, and impairing blood circulation throughout the body.
The Conversation conducted a study involving ‘20 young men aged 18 to 35, and 21 men aged 60 to 80’ to assess how blood vessels associated with heart and brain health responded.
The research focused on the four hours following a high saturated fat meal, a period when blood fat levels peak. After consuming a milkshake with 1,362 calories and 130g of fat, the health outcomes appeared concerning.
The findings indicated that the high-fat beverage ‘impairs the ability of the blood vessels linked to heart health to open in both young and old participants’.
It also compromised the brain’s capacity to adjust to changes in blood pressure.
The NHS advises men to limit their saturated fat intake to 30g per day, while the recommendation for women is under 20g.
In a discussion with The Conversation, researchers acknowledged that they are still uncertain ‘how the female brain responds to a high-fat meal’.
They highlighted: “This is a crucial gap in our knowledge since women face a greater risk of stroke and dementia in later life compared to men.
“Our study offers a timely reminder that diet doesn’t just shape our long-term health. It also affects our body and brain in real time.
“And as we’re learning, when it comes to protecting brain health, every meal may count.”