Diet and nutrition have a significant impact on brain health. In fact, studies suggest that eating certain foods can help boost brain functions and protect against the onset of dementia later in life.

Certain foods, on the other hand, can cause significant damage to the brain, affecting things like mood, concentration and learning abilities. In some cases, damaged brain cells and neural tissues can trigger the onset of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Foods to avoid for better brain health

It’s not too late to do something about poor brain health. Knowledge is power and in this case, knowing which foods to avoid can make all the difference later in life. With that, avoid the following foods for better brain health:

Sugar-sweetened drinks

Drinking sodas, sports drinks and processed fruit juices is harmful for a number of reasons. For one thing, the added sugars in these beverages contribute to abdominal fat that’s been linked to far more dangerous health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Too much sugar also has significant effects on the brain. Some animal studies found that a diet high in sugar led to greater brain inflammation and impaired brain functions that can later lead to dementia. Sugar also affected the formation of neurons.

It should be noted that sugar in itself isn’t bad. The problem starts when we begin consuming too much of it, which is often the case when drinking sugar-sweetened beverages.

Refined grains

You might want to reconsider eating instant oatmeal for breakfast. Studies found that refined grains, such as those found in breakfast cereals, white bread, pasta and processed rice products, can cause a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Current research on diabetes and dementia risk has established a link between the two in that people with elevated blood sugar levels had double the risk of developing dementia. To avoid high blood sugar and minimize dementia risk, stick to healthier whole-grain foods like quinoa, whole wheat and brown rice.

Foods high in trans fats

Trans fats are a form of unsaturated fat that can be found in both natural and artificial sources. Natural sources of trans fats include meat and milk, and eating these are no cause for concern. The problem lies in artificial trans fats found in vegetable oils, margarine and prepackaged pastries.

The trans fats in these foods tend to increase inflammation in the brain, leading to a higher risk of dementia.

Processed foods

Processed foods like potato chips, instant noodles, sausages, cured meat and prepackaged sauces are high in calories but low in nutrients. Both of these factors can lead to a decrease in neural tissues and impaired brain functions. Processed foods also disrupt the production and regeneration of brain cells.

Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been linked to both behavioral and cognitive issues. Some studies suggest that because aspartame is a chemical stressor, it can raise inflammation in the brain and affect parts of the brain responsible for learning and emotions.

Alcohol

As with sugar, alcohol isn’t at all harmful when consumed in moderation. In fact, it can even boost heart health. But too much alcohol can have serious and irreversible effects on the brain.

For instance, frequent drinking can disrupt neural communication, resulting in impaired brain functions. Drinking too much alcohol can also raise the risk of mood disorders and other neurological diseases.

Contaminated fish

Certain fish can be contaminated with toxic industrial compounds that pose serious health risks. This is often the case in farm-raised fish since the pools in fish farms are often treated with antibiotics and other chemicals to enhance the fish meat’s taste and texture.

Studies found that toxic contaminants in fish have negative effects on brain health. Infants and children, in particular, might end up with developmental problems upon exposure to these toxins. Pregnant women should also be careful when eating fish to avoid birth defects.

Certain foods can cause significant damage to the brain, so it’s best to stop eating them for good. To maintain brain health and avoid developing dementia, eat a balanced, plant-based diet full of nutrient-dense foods.

Read more articles about brain health and dementia at Brain.news.

Sources:

Healthline.com

BrainAndLife.org