https://www.backpacker.com/skills/low-carb-diets-make-you-stupid/
I am doing a phd and I’m wondering if upping my carbs will help improve my cognition or if the science in this article is just bull?!
Thank you!
Never heard of any of this. I’m finishing my PhD and am in ketosis through fasting every day and eat lower carb meals nearly every day (even during my defense) with no problems. In fact, I feel way better, have more concentration, and have more energy when eating low carb meals and fasting.
However, switching to a low-carb diet and/or fasting takes time to get your body used to burning fat as fuel. This study tested people in the short term, immediately after they had a high or low carb diet. This means the low-carb people are not “fat adapted”, which takes weeks at least.
Also you’re doing a PhD: you know that one study is never perfect. An evidence-based approach is about looking broadly at multiple sources of evidence and integrating that evidence based on the quality. You can also read the bias in this short article because the person admits it directly - not a good sign!
Brain depends on glucose as its main fuel. That is a fact. However I think it is quite improbable you will go through the day, unless you are on a water fast, without ingesting anything without glucose in it.