Cut Your Alzheimer’s Risk By Avoiding The Worst Foods For Your Brain

Your brain is the most important organ in your body that keeps all the systems in your body functioning. That’s why it is essential to preserve your brain health for the long run, and an effective way to do that is through a healthy diet. What you eat plays a big role in either bolstering your brainpower or diminishing it.

Talking about nutrition (the fuel that you choose for your body), there are all sorts of foods, starting from some super-foods that are your greatest allies in fighting excess pounds, to others that stimulate your cognitive function and improve your memory. Then there are some foods that are known to have a devastating effect on your brain functioning (impacting your memory and mood and increasing your risk of dementia), and experts advise against their consumption or to consume them moderately in order to limit their negative impact (for example, inflammatory foods). You need to remember that the food we eat has the potential to both harm or protect us.

If you have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, an assisted living Anthem facility might be a great option, where they take care of nutritional needs of every resident. Foods are prepared in keeping with the nutritional requirements of each resident.

According to estimates, dementia will affect more than 65 million people worldwide by 2030. Fret not, you can help dramatically cut your Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) risk by cutting certain foods out of your diet (or avoiding these foods altogether):

Sugary Foods– Steer clear of pre-baked goods, sugar, corn syrup and products that are high in fructose. Long-term consumption of these foods can create a host of neurological problems, and it can also affect your memory.

Fried Foods– There’s no denying that they taste good, but fried or processed foods slowly destroy the nerve cells located in the brain. Not only are they loaded with fat and calories (leading to weight gain), fried foods also cause inflammation in your brain, leading to memory loss and brain fog. Switch to baked or grilled meats, potatoes, and veggies from fried.

Junk/Fast Food– All experts are on the same page about the fact that fast/junk foods are just all around bad for you. These foods are high in saturated fats, which can make it difficult for your body to fight off the plaque, which can lead to Alzheimer’s. Not to mention, junk foods are loaded with sodium, which causes memory decline almost right away.

Avoid Trans Fats- Trans fats (often labeled on packaging as partially hydrogenated oils) and saturated fats (can be found in high-fat dairy products, including milk, cheese, and some yogurts) are bad for brain health. Trans fats are mainly found in fried foods, microwave popcorn, cookies, chips, peanut butter, and more. Trans fats make your brain more sluggish, affect your reflexes and the quality of your brain response. If consumed for too long, it can have bad repercussions for your brain (brain shrinkage). Limit your intake of trans fats prevent this and lower the stroke risk (trans fats increase risk of stroke).

Some of the other worst foods for your brain health:

1. Refined carbs (white bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and sugar)
2. Red meat
3. Cheese
4. Alcohol
5. Processed or pre-cooked foods
6. Very salty foods
7. Grains (except 100 percent whole grain)
8. Artificial sweeteners
9. Vegetable oils (including sunflower, soybean, and canola)
10. Margarine

Experts recommend following a fruit and vegetable-based diet for maintaining one’s brain health. For example, follow the Mediterranean diet, it consists primarily of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and fatty fish, and is known for improving cognitive function.