When it comes to nutrition, it must be mentioned that there are all sorts of
foods: some super-foods are your greatest allies against extra pounds, while
others stimulate your cognitive function and improve your memory. On the other
hand, some foods are known to have a devastating effect on your brain
functioning, and nutritionists advise us to consume them moderately in order to
limit their negative impact. Having said that, here are the top 11 foods that
kill your intelligence, slowly but surely:
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.
Source: ww.fitnea.com