When it comes to nutrition, it must be mentioned that there are foods that satisfy different needs. Some Food helps to gain weight in a healthy way, while there are other group foods, which helps to lose weight. Some foods stimulate different organ systems and some foods help to boost immunity, etc. On the other hand, there are foods that adversely affect your health.
There are a number of foods, which have a devastating effect on your Brain functioning. It’s scary. But it is true. Some food does have a negative impact on your intelligence.
To protect your brain and to keep its health and sharpness throughout the life, it is better to avoid foods that adversely affect the function of your brain.
Here are top ten foods that are not good for your brain. Please note that eating these foods once in a while will not cause any damage your brain. However, if overly consumed on a regular basis, these foods or ingredients used in food will definitely pose danger to your brain in due course.
1.High-mercury fish:
Studies show that continuous exposure to mercury can cause serious, sometimes irretrievable damage to the brain and nervous system. Around five percent decrease is noted in the brain function of people with the highest levels of mercury in their bloodstream. Oceans are dangerously polluted with mercury, which is absorbed by the fishes. Not all the fishes are unsafe. However, mercury level is found very high in fishes like tuna. Regular consumption of tuna can adversely affect the brain function. Mercury level is relatively low in fishes like Salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Shark, swordfish and king mackerel are other fish with high levels of mercury.
2.Soy sauce:
A little bit of soy on your Chinese dishes may seem harmless, but do you know that one tablespoon of soy sauce has nearly 40 percent of daily recommended salt. According to a recent Neurology study, blood pressure, which is one of the after effect of eating too many salts and sodium-packed foods like soy sauce, can restrict the blood flow to the brain and negatively affect the power to concentrate and memory.
3.Fructose:
Naturally occurring fructose found in fruit will not harm your health. Fructose becomes an issue only when you eat processed fructose, fructose that is not in its natural state. Consuming too much of processed fructose, like in corn syrup, can hamper the brain cells, thereby, impairing your ability to remember and it also alters the brain’s ability to learn.
4.Artificial sweeteners:
When you consume artificial sweeteners, it alters the gut bacteria and contributes to type 2 diabetes. Diabetics can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 4 times. This is because increased blood sugar level increases the chances of brain degeneration. Another important fact is that individuals taking artificial sweeteners have a higher risk of developing diabetes than people who drink sugar-sweetened beverages.
5.The Trans fat:
The Trans fats give rise to a series of issues. It causes obesity, it increases cholesterol level and adversely affects the function of the heart. However, they are bad for your brain as well. The Trans fat,
·Slows down the responding of the brain to the reflexes.
· Increase the risk of stroke as the Trans fat slowly damage the arteries of the brain.
·Prolonged consumption of the Trans fat can result in brain shrinkage which resembles the shrinkage caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
6.Partially hydrogenated oil:
For the hydrogenation processes, a catalyst is required in order to heat the oil faster. Heavy metals like nickel, platinum, and aluminium are usually used for this purpose.These metals are, in turn, linked with Alzheimer’s and other mental issues.Therefore, anything with partially hydrogenated oils should be avoided at all costs for a healthy brain.
7.Foods with a high glycemic index:
Foods with a high glycemic index, like white bread, white rice, corn flakes, and potatoes, can have a negative impact on your brain. It can cause depression, especially in women after menopause. It shoots up the blood sugar level suddenly. Increased blood sugar level affects the function of the brain.
8. Fried or Processed food:
Almost all processed foods contain chemicals, artificial colors, artificial flavors, additives, and preservatives. Fried or processed foods gradually destroy the nerve cells located in the brain. Even if some of the processed food is low in fat or sugar, they might still be high in sodium. Increased sodium level can increase the blood pressure, which adversely affects the blood vessels in the brain.
9.Junk food:
The regular consumption of junk food is capable to alter the chemicals in the brains. In addition, foods that are high in fat can also trigger withdrawal symptoms once you stop consuming them. This emphasizes its impact on the brain. Junk food affects the production of Dopamine, an important chemical which supports the brain functions. Therefore, it is always recommended to avoid all foods that contain excessive fat.
10.Alcohol:
Alcohol slowly kills the brain cells. Even moderate drinking, which is about 6-9 drinks a week, can damage the brain.
