The Impact of Neighborhood on Brain Structure and Diet

Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods can impact food choices, weight gain, and even the microstructure of the brain, according to a study from UCLA. Poor quality of available foods, high intake of trans-fatty acids, and inactive environments prevalent in these neighborhoods disrupt brain regions involved in reward, emotion regulation, and cognition. The study found a direct link between brain cortex changes and high trans-fatty acid intake. These findings highlight the importance of improving dietary quality in disadvantaged areas for better brain health.