1. Foods High In Saturated Fat (Butter, Cheese, Etc.)
Many would argue that some of the tastiest ingredients that can make food taste better, like butter and cheese, are something people should not live without. However, frequently consuming foods and ingredients that are high in saturated fat cannot only cause weight gain, but can also hurt your brain and lead to other health issues.
"Healthy blood vessels lead to a healthier brain," explains Dr. Julia Cooney, medical doctor and brain health researcher with PREMAZ. "Anything causing a narrowing of the arteries in the brain will impact blood flow and increase the risk of dementia. Saturated fats, particularly animal fats, lead to higher LDL levels and increased plaque in the arteries."
2. Candy & Sweets
Although everyone loves a sweet treat from time to time, enjoying a dessert or a few pieces of candy, eating a lot of refined sugar throughout the day is one of the most notorious ways to hurt your health through diet. Like saturated fat, refined sugar can cause weight gain in addition to a decline in other aspects of your health.
"Excess sugar can impair insulin sensitivity and contribute to oxidative stress," notes registered dietitian Kristen Carli, MS, RD, from WOWMD. "This can age the brain faster."
3. Ultra-Processed Foods
If you're not sure what these are, ultra-processed foods are foods manufactured and created with a combination of ingredients like starches, fats, and sugars, as well as various additives that are manmade. These foods are typically shelf-stable and include chips, crackers, cookies, etc. Dr. Cooney notes that ultra-processed foods are "high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, which can lead to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to brain cells."
Additionally, Carli explains that these foods can be bad for your brain "because they are high in added sugars, sodium, and refined carbs, all of which have been linked to cognitive decline."