Diet can influence brain health. Some foods and drinks can offer nutrients or substances that promote brain health, on the other hand, there are products that can affect it and even accelerate its aging.
1. Alcohol
Consuming just one beer or glass of wine a day can age your brain by two years, according to a study published in 2021 in the journal Nature.
With aging, parts of the brain die naturally, but drinking one drink or more a day could accelerate that effect.
The study for which they were used image data of ,678 adults found that even moderate alcohol consumption can affect gray matter volume and white matter microstructure.
2. Sugary drinks
The consumption of sugary drinks has associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common diagnosis among older adults.
A study published in 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that even in people without diabetes, the blood sugar above normal is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
3. Refined carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates have a high glycemic index, which causes an increase in insulin and blood sugar levels. Foods with a high glycemic index can affect brain health.
These foods include highly processed sugars and grains, such as products made with white flour, white bread, refined rice, packaged snack foods, soft drinks and cereals sugary.
Refined carbohydrates also promote chronic inflammation, which, among many diseases, has been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s.
4. Highly processed foods
Highly processed or ultra-processed foods have high amounts of sugar, salt, fat, preservatives and additives. These foods promote inflammation and a decrease in brain tissue, which can affect memory, learning and brain plasticity.
Processed meat
The study from the University of Leeds published this 2021 found to eat g of processed meat per day, the equivalent of one slice of bacon, was associated with a 44% increased risk of dementia and for those who developed dementia, processed meat was associated with a 50% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Artificial sweeteners
Dr. Gary Kaplan, founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine points out that in the body , aspartame breaks down into compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier, excite brain cells and cause their death.
Diet sodas have been associated with an increased risk of dementia.
An investigation published in 1500 the American Heart Association journal Stroke found that compared to those who drank less than one per week, people who reported drinking at least one artificially sweetened beverage per day had 2.89 times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 2.83 times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke.
131164733
It may interest you:
–7 Foods That Help Keep Your Brain Young Longer
–Foods that naturally increase endorphins
–Eating blueberries every day can help the brain stay alert and age well