2-Certain Fats.Trans fats and saturated fats are bad for brain health. Trans fats offer no benefits to the consumer while causing hardened arteries and altering metabolic processes. Trans fats, often labeled on packaging as partially hydrogenated oils, can be found in fried foods, microwave popcorn, cookies, chips, peanut butter, and more. Saturated fats lead to inflammation throughout the body and fatty buildup in arteries. To avoid saturated fats, swap olive oil for butter, hummus for creamy dips, avocado for mayonnaise, and bison for beef, all of which contain healthier fats like omega 3 fatty acids that support brain health.
3-Simple Carbohydrates - Simple carbohydrates don’t contain fiber like those found in 100% whole wheat complex carbohydrates, so they don’t offer the added benefit of supporting healthy arteries and proper blood flow. Replacing simple carbohydrates with foods high in fiber will better support cognitive function and brain health. Avoid simple carbohydrates by limiting white rice, white breads, processed foods like cake and cookies, and enriched pasta. Choose wild or brown rice, both of which are great for gluten-free diets, and 100% whole wheat breads and pastas for optimal brain health.
4-Sugar.Too much sugar in your diet doesn’t just cause weight gain and type 2 diabetes. It can also lead to sustained increases in insulin production within the body. Excess insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas in response to sugar intake, slows cognitive ability and increases the risk of developing chronic illnesses like cancer and heart disease. Further, a diet high in sugar suppresses a healthy immune system, compromising the body’s ability to fight bacterial and viral infections leading to even more brain-busting inflammation.
5. Refined breads and pastas
Refined breads and pastas are some of the worst foods for brain health. They're stripped of their nutrients so there’s no fiber to slow down their digestion. Instead, these processed carbohydrates rush through your system and spike your blood sugar. A diet comprised of refined carbohydrates has been linked to impaired memory in adults and kids.
6. Red meat
Studies found “the most important dietary link to Alzheimer’s Disease appears to be meat consumption, with eggs and high-fat dairy also contributing.” Just like saturated fat clogs cardiovascular system, the blood vessels in our brain become clogged as well.
7. Vegetable oils
Another one to file under "foods that cause memory loss," it's time to ditch vegetable oils if you want to eat the best foods for your brain. High in omega-6s, an inflammatory fatty aid, consuming vegetable oils particularly canola oil — is linked with increased risk for Alzheimer’s. Chronic brain inflammation is also linked with depression and other cognitive issues. When our brains are inflamed, energy production goes down, the firing of neurons is slowed, and we’re often left mentally exhausted.
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