We cherish our memories. And now, more than ever, we seek to preserve our mental health as much as our physical health. Because of that, many people are learning about how their lifestyle affects how their brains and body behave. Becoming a happier, healthier individual can often be attainable with enough tweaks to a person’s diet or exercise regimen.
One of the more concerning issues is the loss of cognitive ability, including retaining short-term and long-term memory. Today, we’re exposing four foods linked to potential memory loss so you can eat them sparingly or remove them from your diet and have a razor-sharp mind as you grow.
1. Alcohol
It’s not what most people would consider food, but alcohol has some extreme effects on the brain when consumed in excess. Most people’s consumption of a few drinks a week won’t be the problem — but heavy drinkers should concern themselves with their lifestyle, causing dementia later in life.
Overconsumption of alcohol leads to a reduction in brain volume, disruption of neurotransmitters, and many other adverse health consequences for the brain and many other organs in the body. Anyone who’s consumed alcohol before is also likely aware of how much it can affect short-term memory as well. These memory lapses, often called blackouts, result from the alcohol blocking the receptors to the hippocampus, which is where the brain creates new memories.
2. Artificial Sweeteners
The evidence that artificial sweeteners cause cognitive decline is a bit all over the place; it’s clear that more research on the subject is needed. Still, some studies show that artificial sweeteners like aspartame could act like neurotoxins in high amounts, inevitably impairing someone’s memory.
Much like with consuming anything else, they’re usually okay in moderation. However, long-term use could affect how your brain functions. Even with the ongoing conversation about artificial sweetener’s effects on the brain, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
3. Fried Foods
Most people are well aware that fried foods aren’t good for them. However, few know that anything fried, regardless of how healthy it is, could potentially be problematic for cognition. That’s because food heated to such high temperatures, like in a deep fryer, can form compounds that might be toxic to brain cells.
There are many reasons to avoid overconsuming fried foods, but the fact that they generally lead to lower scores on cognitive tests makes them one to limit if you’re worried about memory loss.
4. Refined Carbs
Refined carbohydrates, such as those found in pasta, white bread, and pastries, have a high glycemic index. Eating them causes your blood sugar to spike. While this isn’t inherently bad for the generally healthy individual, consistent blood sugar spikes can impair your brain’s ability to function over time.
Higher consumption of refined carbohydrates also typically shows more inflammation throughout the body and brain. Finally, a diet of mostly refined carbohydrates can lead to nutrient deficiencies, impacting the efficacy of every part of the body, including the brain’s ability to hold on to memories.
15 Foods That Spike Your Blood Sugar Levels
Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for maintaining overall health, especially for individuals with diabetes or those looking to avoid energy crashes and cravings.
While many know that sugary snacks and desserts can send blood sugar soaring, many other foods can have a similar effect. Here are 15 surprising culprits that can spike your blood sugar levels.
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