1.
Sugary Products
Sugar
and sugary products are bad not only for your waistline, but for your
brain function as well. Long-term consumption of sugar can create a
wealth of neurological problems, and it can also interfere with your
memory. On the other hand, sugar can also interfere with your ability
to learn, this is why it is recommended to avoid pre-baked goods,
sugar, corn syrup and products that are high in fructose.
2.
Alcohol
Alcohol
is known to harm your liver in the long run, and it also causes what
is known as “brain fog”. Like the name suggests, the term of
brain fog refers to a feeling of mental confusion, it acts like a
cloud that impacts your ability to think clearly, as well as your
memory. Have you ever noticed that you cannot remember common item
names, or you cannot recall certain events or you are not sure
whether they were dreams or they actually happened? This might be
influenced by the high alcohol intake which impacts the balance of
the brain. Fortunately, these symptoms are reversible provided that
you stop consuming alcohol, or you limit your intake to one or two
drinks per week.
3.
Junk Food
A
recent study that was performed at the University of Montreal has
revealed that junk food can change the chemicals in the brains, thus
leading to symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Besides,
foods that are high in fat can also trigger some symptoms that are
similar to the signs of withdrawal when you stop consuming them.
These foods affect the production of dopamine, an important chemical
that promotes happiness and an overall feeling of well-being.
Moreover, dopamine also supports the cognitive function, the learning
capacity, alertness, motivation and memory. This is why it is
important to avoid all foods that contain excessive fat.
4.
Fried Foods
Almost
all processed foods contain chemicals, dyes, additives, artificial
flavors, preservatives and such – these can affect the behavior and
the cognitive functioning due to the chemical that causes
hyperactivity, both in children and in adults. Fried or processed
foods slowly destroy the nerve cells located in the brain. However,
some oils are more dangerous than others – sunflower oil is
considered to be among the most toxic ones.
5.
Processed Or Pre-Cooked Foods
Just
like fried foods, processed or pre-cooked foods also impact your
central nervous system and they also increase the risk of developing
a degenerative brain disorder later in live (such as Alzheimer’s
disease).
6.
Very Salty Foods
Everybody
knows that salty foods affect your blood pressure and they are very
hard on your heart. However, as research suggests, foods that contain
high amounts of salt (sodium) can affect your cognitive function and
impair your ability to think. Otherwise stated, salty foods affect
your intelligence!
As
a matter of fact, the consumption of salty foods and nicotine have
been shown to have the same effects as drugs, as they cause harsh
withdrawal symptoms and cravings for salty foods.
7.
Grains, Except 100% Whole Grain
All
sorts of grains have an impact on your brain functioning and your
overall health, except for 100% whole grain which is very rich and
fiber and it is known to prevent arterial aging. If you consume
regular grains, your body risks to age quicker than it is supposed to
and you can also experience memory loss and brain fog. Having said
that, try swapping the regular carbs for the complex carbohydrates –
all you need to do is to opt for whole grain bread!
8.
Processed Proteins
Proteins
are the building blocks of muscles and they are very important for
the proper functioning of your body. Meat is the richest source of
high-quality protein, but avoid overly processed protein such as hot
dogs, salami, sausages and such. Unlike the natural proteins that
help your body insulate the nervous system, processed proteins do
exactly the opposite. Opt for natural fish (especially tuna and
salmon), dairy, walnuts and seeds as these are natural, high-quality
protein sources.
9.
Avoid Trans Fats At All Costs
Trans
fats cause a series of problems, from heart-related issues to
elevated cholesterol and obesity. However, they are bad for your
brain as well, as they make your brain more sluggish, they affect
your reflexes and the quality of your brain response – not to
mention that they increase the risk of stroke!
Trans
fats can also have other effects on your brain: if consumed for too
long, they can result in a sort of brain shrinkage that is somewhat
similar to the shrinkage caused by Alzheimer’s disease. This brain
shrinkage takes place due to the fact that trans fats slowly damage
the arteries – you can prevent this and lower the stroke risk by
simply limiting your intake of trans fats.
10.
Artificial Sweeteners
When
people try to lose weight, they tend to think that they will become
slim overnight by simply replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners.
It is true that artificial sweeteners do contain less calories, but
they can actually do more harm than good! If used for an extended
period of time, artificial sweeteners can cause brain damage and
interfere with your cognitive capacity, especially if you use high
amounts of sweetener.
11.
Nicotine
Despite
the fact that nicotine is not really a food product, it still wreaks
havoc on your brain by restricting the blood flow to this important
organ, along with the regular flow of glucose and oxygen. Nicotine
not only causes premature aging, bad breath and poses an increased
risk for lung cancer, but it also affects the production and the
function of neurotransmitters by tightening the capillaries, the tiny
blood vessels that play a pivotal role when it comes to your brain
function.
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