Low-sugar, high-protein diets (LC-HP diets) are becoming more familiar as the market expands.However, many of the positive effects of its intake, such as improved blood sugar control, were examined in obese and diabetic patients, and the effects on healthy living bodies, especially healthy brains, were unknown.

　The research group fed healthy mice an LC-HP diet (24.6% carbohydrate, 57.6% protein, and 17.8% fat) or a control diet (58.6%, 24.2%, and 17.2%, respectively) for 4 weeks. dosed.As a result, compared with the control diet group, the LC-HP diet group had significantly lower body weight gain, blood glucose level, and fat weight per body weight, and a significantly higher kidney weight per body weight.

　Working memory in these mice was assessed using the Y-maze test, and the LC-HP diet reduced the Y-maze success rate (working memory).At this time, there was no effect on the expression level of lactate transporters, but the amount of Dcx (doublecortin) mRNA*, which is a marker of new neurons, and Igf-1r (insulin-like growth factor 1), which is involved in the growth and survival of neurons, was not affected. receptor) decreased in the hippocampus (brain region involved in working memory).There was no effect on Bdnf (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) mRNA or related factors involved in the survival and growth of nerve cells.

　This suggests that the LC-HP-induced impairment of working memory may be caused by decreased neuroplasticity in the hippocampus.In the future, it is expected that the development of foods that contribute to the health of the hippocampus (such as low-sugar, high-protein diets that take into consideration the combination of nutritional ingredients and eating together) and proposals for dietary habits are expected.

* RNA with a base sequence that serves as a blueprint for protein synthesis.

Paper information:[Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology] Low-Carbohydrate and High-Protein Diet Suppresses Working Memory Function in Healthy Mice