Nutrition plays a crucial role for people, and the foods we eat can either cure or cause diseases. Not only can some superfoods make us smarter and improve our vision, such as chocolate, cabbage or carrots, but others can wreak havoc on our brain cells, killing them one by one. It often happens that it is not the food itself, but the artificial flavors, the preservatives, the chemicals and all the other harmful additives present in the food that have these side effects. That being said, here are the top 8 foods that kill your intelligence and that you should avoid, given their destructive effect on the nerve cells located inside the brain.
1. Junk Food
Junk food has a reputation for being anything but healthy, and it is known that junk food can make you fat, given the high number of calories. A study that was recently performed has even revealed that a prolonged junk food consumption can affect the production of dopamine, which is commonly referred to as the hormone of happiness.
If the brain’s natural production of dopamine is affected, this can lead, in turn, to anxiety and depression. Avoid it at all costs!
2. Salty Foods
We all love salty foods, especially pickles – however, did you know that pickles can be brain killers if over-consumed? Salt is known to affect the blood pressure, but few people know that it can take its toll on their memory and on their cognitive abilities as well. This is why it is highly recommended to avoid salting your foods too much.
3. Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are certainly very debated these days. Some people say that artificial sweeteners are a great replacement option for sugar, and they come in handy for those who are trying to lose weight. On the other hand, other people claim that artificial sweeteners may be low-calorie, but they have other effects on your health that should not be neglected. That being said, a prolonged use of artificial sweeteners can slowly destroy the brain cells and nerves, thus causing extensive brain damage, and it is known that once destroyed, the brain cells fail to recover.
4. All Kinds of Processed Proteins
Processed proteins can actually do you more harm than good, this is why it is crucial to avoid them. Meat is widely known as the richest source of animal protein, but it is highly recommended to steer clear from processed proteins such as salami, sausages, hot dogs and other similar products. Instead, buy natural, fresh fish and cook it at home: this way, you know exactly which ingredients are added to the dish, and how much salt you use.
The reason why processed proteins should be avoided by those who are trying to live a healthy life is because these products are always packed with sodium nitrate and preservatives, both of which are known to increase the risk of cancer in the long run.
5. Trans Fats
Trans fats kill intelligence as well, and unfortunately they are present in most processed foods and fast food we find in stores these days. Not only do trans fats kill brain cells, but they also clog your arteries with cholesterol, which in turn increases the risk for stroke or heart attack in the long run . At the same time, studies have also revealed that those who consume high amount of foods rich in trans fats have a higher risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Alcohol
Everybody knows that alcohol is bad, not only for your brain but also for your liver. At the same time, people who consume alcohol regularly often experienced what is known as “brain fog”, which is a sort of mental confusion and a temporary memory loss. While the brain fog is temporary, prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to permanent memory loss over the years, if you are not careful. Limit your alcohol intake to one or two drinks per week, and trade the hard liquor for wine, as the latter is slightly healthier!
7. Fried Foods
Fried foods are by far your biggest enemies, not only when you try to lose weight but also when you try to stay healthy, as the high amount of chemicals and trans fats present in deep fried foods of any kind cause hyperactivity and cognitive impair. One of the reasons why deep fried foods should be avoided at all costs is because sunflower oil, the most commonly used oil in the kitchen, is toxic and attacks the nerve cells located in the belt. Besides this, deep fried foods are known to be the number one cause of cholesterol.
8. Sugar And Sugar Rich Foods
Last, but not least, sugar and sugar rich foods can also affect your memory and your intelligence in the long run, not to mention that they can also lead to a variety of different neurological problems over the years. In a nutshell, sugar is known to decrease the brain activity by interfering with the insulin’s capacity to help the brain cells do their normal work, thus leading to memory loss. The more sugar you consume, the more prone you are to experiencing learning impairment or memory loss over the years. Besides this, the addictive nature of sugar is widely known to everybody, and this has some severe long-term consequences that take their toll on one’s cognitive skills.
The Bottom Line
To conclude, these are the top 8 foods that kill your intelligence, and most of them should come as no surprise – especially alcohol, which is widely known for its devastating effects on the body, as well as for the fact that it causes occasional memory lapses.
Source: Health For Self
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