WARNING! These Foods May Harm Your Brain.
You probably know by now that there are
plenty of foods out there that can help boost your IQ, but what many
people don't seem to realize is that there are also loads of food types
that can actually leave your brain rather drained. Below, we've listed
some of the worst offenders:
1. Diet Soda
Many people seem to believe that switching
regular sodas for diet versions will help them be a lot healthier.
However, a 2017 study from the journal Stroke found that there seems to
be a link between diet sodas and both stroke and dementia. We'd
recommend opting for some sparkling water instead!
2. Sugar
While everyone knows that too much sugar is
terrible for the human body, scientists now believe that it is also
detrimental to mental health. Researchers now believe that sugar may be
responsible for memory loss and certain learning impairments. They also
believe that omega-3 fatty acids, found in walnuts, salmon, flax seeds
and soybeans, may be able to help prevent some of this damage, so we'd
recommend adding plenty of these components to your diet.
3. Baked Goods
Plenty of cookies, cakes and other baked
goods contain a staggering amount of trans fats, which can wreak havoc
on your memory. Make sure to always check the label for trans fats on
any baked goods that you purchase, and try to moderately limit your
consumption of them.
4. Alcohol
A study from BMJ, that was conducted over a
period of 30 years, found that people who drank between 14 and 21 units
of alcohol a week were more likely to have a decline in the
hippocampus, thus suffering from long-term memory loss, than people who
drank significantly less. Of course, people who drink heavily were found
to be at an even greater risk.
5. Salt
A study conducted in 2012 found that people
who eat a lot of salt may end up experiencing a degree of cognitive
decline far sooner than people who consume low to moderate amounts. To
keep your mind and body healthy, experts recommend consuming no more
than 2,300 milligrams of salt each day.
6. Low-Carb Diets
Here's some bad news for anyone on a
ketogenic diet: Going totally carb-free has been found to not only sap
your mood and energy, but also your brain power, particularly when it
comes to both long-term and short-term memory. Instead of completely
eliminating carbohydrates from your diet, why not go for healthier
options, such as quinoa or brown rice, instead?
7. Red Meat & Butter
According to Harvard research published in
the Annals of Neurology, a diet that contains a lot of 'bad' saturated
fats, found in both red meat and butter, may end up damaging your brain
functioning. On the other hand, they also found that people who ate a
lot of monounsaturated fats, found in avocado and olive oil, had higher
levels of brain function, instead. Start switching the bad fats in your
diet for good ones and you're bound to become sharper in no time at all!