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
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). 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.
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.
