By maks in Health and Fitness
Milkshakes may taste like one of the most delightful treats out there, but scientists say they could come with some serious risks to your health.
From popular flavors like peanut butter and banana to old favorites such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel, or strawberry, there’s a milkshake out there for just about everyone. They’re often seen as a sweet indulgence, but behind the sugar and creaminess, there could be more going on than most people realize.
Experts now suggest that a single shake could disrupt how your body functions and even raise the likelihood of serious health conditions later in life.
Of course, plenty of the foods and drinks we enjoy aren’t exactly good for us, but it may surprise you just how much damage one milkshake can do.
Fats are necessary for the body—they give us energy, help move vitamins through the bloodstream, and protect vital organs. But eating too much, especially in a single sitting, can tip the balance and take a toll on long-term health.
Researchers at the University of South Wales discovered that even one meal high in fat could limit blood flow to the brain, raising the risks of strokes and dementia down the line.
So how do milkshakes fit into this picture?
The problem is that they’re packed with fats from dairy, and these don’t play nicely with the brain’s need for a steady supply of oxygen and glucose through constant blood flow.
When blood supply is restricted or slowed, brain function can be disrupted, which is why scientists say a milkshake isn’t as harmless as it looks.
To keep things running smoothly, the brain relies on something called dynamic cerebral autoregulation. This process ensures a stable flow of blood to the brain, no matter what is happening with overall blood pressure in the body.
If that balance is interrupted, it becomes harder for the body to manage changes in pressure. Too much blood may then rush to the brain, increasing the risks of dementia or strokes over time.
That means even small shifts caused by what you eat could have bigger consequences for your long-term health.
Eating or drinking foods that are heavy in saturated fats causes fat levels in the bloodstream to spike, which in turn stiffens blood vessels and limits circulation throughout the body.
The Conversation reported on an experiment involving two groups: 20 young men aged 18 to 35, and 21 older men between 60 and 80. Researchers monitored them for several hours after they consumed a high-fat meal.
The results were eye-opening. After drinking a milkshake loaded with 1,362 calories and 130 grams of fat, participants showed a clear decline in both vascular and brain health markers.
The study concluded that the milkshake ‘impairs the ability of the blood vessels linked to heart health to open in both young and old participants’.
It also interfered with the brain’s ability to regulate blood pressure changes properly. For perspective, the NHS recommends that men limit themselves to 30 grams of saturated fat per day, while women should aim for no more than 20 grams.
This means one milkshake could far exceed those daily limits in a single sitting, highlighting why researchers are so concerned.
In interviews with The Conversation, researchers admitted they aren’t yet sure ‘how the female brain responds to a high-fat meal’.
They explained: “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.”