A team of international researchers, including specialists from the Cedars-Sinai Research Institute in the United States, reports that women may experience greater protection against brain injury and cardiovascular disease when consuming fatty and sugary foods, compared with men. The findings were published in Cell Reports as part of a broader study on dietary effects and sex-specific responses.
In experiments using laboratory mice, scientists observed that female specimens did not develop brain inflammation after following a diet high in fat and carbohydrates. Moreover, large intakes of fatty and sugary foods did not appear to trigger severe cardiovascular consequences in these female mice during the study period.
In contrast, male mice subjected to the same dietary pattern showed higher instances of heart muscle damage and brain injury. The researchers also noted a connection between brain inflammation, overeating, elevated blood glucose, and shifts in fat tissue composition that can contribute to substantial weight gain over time.
Researchers suggest that humans may share similar protective mechanisms. The data imply a potential unique capacity in women to tolerate the adverse effects of fatty foods, a trait that may play a role in safe weight gain during pregnancy.
Earlier discussions in the literature have asked which so-called healthy foods can still contribute to weight gain under certain circumstances. The current work adds a new dimension to that question by highlighting how sex-specific biology might influence the outcomes of fat- and sugar-rich diets.