Lay Off These Foods As They Are Damaging Your Brain !
We’ve heard about foods that damage our heart, liver, and digestive system, but what about those that damage the most important organ in our body – the brain? It’s more than likely that you’ve felt tired or groggy after eating lunch – most likely because you ate something that affected your brain in some manner. In that case, which foods should you be avoiding in order to keep your mind sharp, and which can you have in moderation?
1. Sugar
Our first culprit is well-known for its
damaging influence on the body. While it's common knowledge that large
quantities of sugar are bad for you, consuming it for a prolonged period
of time may lead to neurological problems. High levels of sugar will
affect your ability to learn and retain information, as well as reduce
your brain’s elasticity. High blood sugar levels inhibit the breakdown
of insulin by the brain, leading to a reduction in mental and cognitive
processes.
Recommended daily dosage: Women – 6 teaspoons of sugar, Men – 10
teaspoons of sugar.
2. Salt
Salt is known to cause problems with blood pressure, heart rate,
digestive system, and even respiratory issues. The brain uses the same
cardiovascular system as these other organs, and so will be similarly
damaged. Salt is essential for the body’s functions, but it is highly
important not to overdo it.
Recommended daily dosage: A teaspoon of salt is the maximum recommended
daily intake. For people over 50, those with diabetes or chronic kidney
issues, the amount drops to half a teaspoon.
3. Junk Food
There’s a reason it’s called junk food. Studies have shown that junk
food can become addictive for some people. The main reason is that junk
food raises the levels of dopamine in the brain (the chemical
responsible for joy and satisfaction), and quitting junk food causes
actual withdrawal symptoms, as well as anxiety and even depression. In
increased consumption levels, it may lead to memory loss, and in rare
cases, it can even cause Alzheimer’s.
Recommended daily dosage: It’s OK to indulge in these foods once in a
while, but experts recommend that people should avoid consuming more
than 500 calories in a meal. The problem is that most fast ood meals
contain 800 calories or more on average. Thanks to new laws, restaurants
now have to display the caloric value of served food, allowing you to
make sure you get the number of calories your body truly needs.
4. Fried Food
Some oils, such as sunflower oil and
flaxseed oil, release a substance known as aldehyde. At the lowest heat
level, Aldehyde is known to damage neurological brain functions.
Furthermore, fried food can become addictive, similarly to junk food.
Finally, a 2008 study found a correlation between the consumption of
fried fish and sub-clinical disturbances in the brain, as seen in an MRI
scan.
Recommended oils for frying: While you should avoid fried food in
general, if you do decide to prepare some, avoid harmful oils like
sunflower and flaxseed oils. Stick with healthier options such as red
palm oil and avocado oil.
5. Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame is one of the most common artificial sweeteners in use
nowadays, but many researchers advise to avoid it, as it may be
responsible for increasing the risk of developing brain cancer. If
that’s not enough, artificial sweeteners lower the energy levels in the
brain, and regular consumption actively slows down brain functions.
These artificial sweeteners can also be found in toothpaste, processed
foods, mouthwash, and even chewable vitamins.
Recommended daily dosage: The maximum amount of sweetener, containing
saccharin, an adult should consume daily is 8 sachets, which is equal to
2 cans of soft drink. As for aspartame – the maximum is higher,
standing at 32 sachets, or 8 cans of soft drink.
6. Trans Fats
A study on the effects of nutrition on elderly people who do not suffer
from dementia found that consumption of trans fats is linked to
shrinkage of the brain, and researchers are inclined to believe that
trans fats may affect the brain in a similar way to Alzheimer’s.
Recently, the American FDA announced that trans fats will become illegal
in the United States in the near future.
Recommended daily dosage: Experts warn about letting trans fats take up
as much as 5-6% out of our total daily calorie intake. This means that
if you eat around 2,000 calories a day, your trans fat intake rate
should be a maximum of 0.45oz (13g). However, with recent information
surfacing, it might be wise to decrease even that amount.
7. Tofu
Dear vegans and vegetarians, even though
tofu is considered to be a good substitute for meat, it may cause
neurological issues. Researchers from Oxford University found that
people between the ages of 52 and 98 who consumed large quantities of
tofu were more likely to suffer from memory loss and dementia.
Recommended daily dosage: It is recommended that you do not consume more
than two cups of tofu per day.
8. Preservatives and Processed Food
Preservatives, additives, food coloring and flavoring can all be found
in processed and preserved foods. All of these chemicals affect our
brain functions and behavior. Additionally, ingesting large quantities
of these chemicals will slowly damage brain cells, causing brain
shrinkage.
Recommended daily dosage: It’s hard to determine what the recommended
quantities of these chemicals are, as it is always better to eat fresh
foods instead. Try to avoid eating canned vegetables and fruits, as well
as processed foods.