A new study has warned that eating a diet rich in trans-fats could have a negative impact on memory

The dangers of eating a diet rich in fatty, processed foods are well documented.

But a new study warns reaching for that biscuit, cake, or ready meal could be bad for your mind.

A team of researchers in the US have discovered trans-fats found in processed foods is linked to memory loss in men.

Trans-fatty acids, or trans-fats, are used to improve taste, texture and shelf-life, are known to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease and there is pressure on food manufacturers around the world to remove them.

The new research found that consuming larger amounts of trans-fats led to poorer memory in men aged 45 and younger.

It showed that men whose diets contained the highest levels of the fats were likely to recall 12 fewer words in a memory test than those who avoided them.

US lead researcher Dr Beatrice Golomb, from the University of California at San Diego, said: 'Trans-fats were most strongly linked to worse memory in men during their high productivity years.

'Trans-fat consumption has previously shown adverse associations to behaviour and mood - other pillars of brain function.

'However, to our knowledge a relation to memory or cognition had not been shown.'

She added: 'As I tell patients, while trans-fats increase the shelf life of foods, they reduce the shelf life of people.'

The team analysed data from 1,018 men and women who were asked to complete a dietary survey and take part in word recall memory tests.

On average, men aged 45 and younger were able to recall 86 words in the tests.

But for each additional gram of trans-fat they consumed each day, their performance reduced by a statistical 0.76 words.

This translated to young men being able to recall around 12 fewer words if their trans-fat consumption matched the highest levels seen in the study, said the scientists.

A type of fat found in processed foods has been linked to memory loss in working-age men, a study found

Although the trend was only significant for men, this may only have been due to the small number of women participants in the same age group, they pointed out.

HOW COOKIES CAN MAKE YOU DEPRESSED... After a stressful day, many of us reach for a cookie believing it will make us feel better. But new research shows eating biscuits and cakes might actually mess with our emotions. Researchers at San Diego State University found trans-fatty acids – commonly found in baked goods and processed foods - can alter how we regulate our feelings. A study of 5,000 people found those who ate more of these fatty acids had less awareness and control over their emotions. They were less aware of their feelings, less able to read emotions clearly, and less able to regulate their mood. When they consumed less trans-fatty acids, researchers found people were better able to regulate their mood. Advertisement

The association was not seen in older populations, possibly because it was masked by the effects of age on memory.

An announcement from US regulators yesterday means that most trans-fats will be removed from American foods within three years.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) - the main source of trans-fats - are not 'generally recognised as safe'.

The move is likely to prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks each year, according to experts.

In Denmark, almost all trans-fats have been banned since 2003 but in the UK their removal depends on food manufacturers signing up to a voluntary scheme.

The findings are published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.

Previous research by the same team found people who eat higher levels of the fats tend to be more aggressive.

And a recent US study found trans-fats can alter how we regulate our feelings.