Health & Wellbeing

Avoid These Ingredients If You Love Your Mental Health...

David B.

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You probably know by now that there are plenty of foods out there that can help boost your IQ, but what many people don't seem to realize is that there are also loads of food types that can actually leave your brain rather drained. Below, we've listed some of the worst offenders:

1. Diet Soda

Many people seem to believe that switching regular sodas for diet versions will help them be a lot healthier. However, a 2017 study from the journal Stroke found that there seems to be a link between diet sodas and both stroke and dementia. We'd recommend opting for some sparkling water instead!

2. Sugar

While everyone knows that too much sugar is terrible for the human body, scientists now believe that it is also detrimental to mental health. Researchers now believe that sugar may be responsible for memory loss and certain learning impairments. They also believe that omega-3 fatty acids, found in walnuts, salmon, flax seeds and soybeans, may be able to help prevent some of this damage, so we'd recommend adding plenty of these components to your diet.

3. Baked Goods

Plenty of cookies, cakes and other baked goods contain a staggering amount of trans fats, which can wreak havoc on your memory. Make sure to always check the label for trans fats on any baked goods that you purchase, and try to moderately limit your consumption of them.

4. Alcohol

A study from BMJ, that was conducted over a period of 30 years, found that people who drank between 14 and 21 units of alcohol a week were more likely to have a decline in the hippocampus, thus suffering from long-term memory loss, than people who drank significantly less. Of course, people who drink heavily were found to be at an even greater risk.

5. Salt

A study conducted in 2012 found that people who eat a lot of salt may end up experiencing a degree of cognitive decline far sooner than people who consume low to moderate amounts. To keep your mind and body healthy, experts recommend consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt each day.

6. Low-Carb Diets

Here's some bad news for anyone on a ketogenic diet: Going totally carb-free has been found to not only sap your mood and energy, but also your brain power, particularly when it comes to both long-term and short-term memory. Instead of completely eliminating carbohydrates from your diet, why not go for healthier options, such as quinoa or brown rice, instead?

7. Red Meat & Butter

According to Harvard research published in the Annals of Neurology, a diet that contains a lot of 'bad' saturated fats, found in both red meat and butter, may end up damaging your brain functioning. On the other hand, they also found that people who ate a lot of monounsaturated fats, found in avocado and olive oil, had higher levels of brain function, instead. Start switching the bad fats in your diet for good ones and you're bound to become sharper in no time at all!

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