Brain health is essential for maintaining memory, focus, and mental clarity, but it can be compromised by factors like brain inflammation, which has been linked to “impaired cognitive function” and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Certain processed foods can worsen brain inflammation by promoting oxidative stress, which can damage the cells and accelerate cognitive decline over time.
We checked in with brain health experts to find out which three foods and drinks we should avoid in order to reduce inflammation in the brain and minimize cognitive decline. Three of the worst culprits included refined sugar, seed oils, and alcohol. Read on to get all the details.
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1. Refined Sugar
Neuroscientist Robert Love, who has over 2.2M followers on TikTok, states that the food industry has figured out ways to say sugar in various ways on food labels, making it difficult to know how much we’re actually consuming. He says, “Processed sugar is absolutely terrible for your brain. First, it contributes to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is one of the primary risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.”
That’s not all; he notes that “refined sugar can create something called AGEs, advanced glycation end products,” inside your body. AGEs “create more inflammation and accelerate aging,” he reveals.
2. Seed Oils
Love points out that seed oils are another inflammatory ingredient that the food industry often portrays as harmless, but they can actually be detrimental to your brain health.
Most of these oils come from seeds, and Love lists some examples, which are peanut oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil.
These oils are shelf stable (one reason the food industry giants prefer them), and the reason these oils are bad for brain health is because they are “highly inflammatory." Inflammation is a primary risk factor for Alzheimer’s, and Love says that by consuming these oils, “it increases the risk of almost every chronic disease, from heart disease to diabetes to many types of cancer,” and of course, Alzheimer’s.
3. Alcohol
This last one is a widely popular beverage: alcohol. Whether you enjoy sipping on a glass of champagne or chugging down a can of beer, alcohol can be detrimental to not only your brain but your overall body.
According to a report by Link Neuroscience Institute, “Alcohol can cause damage to your brain and impair cognitive function, especially in excessive amounts. It can also lead to memory loss and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.”
