A study conducted by the University of South Wales and published in the journal “Nutrients” warned that consuming a single high-fat meal, such as a milkshake containing more than 130 grams of fat, can immediately impair blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of stroke and dementia.

The study, which included 41 men aged between 18 and 80 years, showed that the effect was 10% more severe in older adults. Researchers explained that saturated fats reduce the production of nitric oxide, which is essential for arterial flexibility, leading to increased vessel stiffness and cholesterol buildup.

The American Heart Association recommends that saturated fats should not exceed 6% of total daily calories, equivalent to 13 grams per day in a 2,000-calorie diet, and suggests replacing them with healthy fats such as olive oil and nuts.