Concerned About Brain Health? Then Avoid These Foods!
By Sara Butler
Nearly everyone has heard that you are what you eat. Some people eat to improve their muscle performance, others to maintain optimal weight. Still, other people eat to help control their blood sugar or keep their cholesterol levels healthy. If you are concerned about your brain health as you get older, then it's important to know that you can also eat to encourage good brain health.
Thinking and cognitive function is important no matter how old you are. That's why, if you want to keep your brain happy and your thinking cap on tight, then there are certain foods it's best to avoid. Here are some foods you may want to think twice about consuming for the health of your brain.
Foods High on the Glycemic Index
Certain processed foods are considered high on the glycemic index. This means that they are composed of simple carbohydrates that spike your blood sugar levels. Researchers have found a connection between foods high on the glycemic index and mood changes, which means they're not great for your brain.
You can easily avoid foods that are high on the glycemic index by focusing on how much fiber there is in the servings of the foods you eat. The more fiber, the less the blood sugar spike and the less impact on brain health. Eat whole foods that aren't highly processed, and you'll be on the right path.
Artificial Food Dye
Food dye makes a lot of people uneasy and for good reason. It's not so much because there's any scientific reason to think that food dyes are bad for your brain but because foods with food dyes in them are usually highly processed and simply not good for you overall. Stick to food without added dye and your brain will thank you for it -- probably your gut, too!
Fake Meat
Bad news for all you vegetarians, vegans, and those trying not to consume so much meat in their diets: fake meat isn't good for your brain. Plant-based meat substitutes are, again, just highly processed foods that aren't good for your body or your brain. If you want to cut out or cut down on meat, then replace it in the diet with plant-based foods such as beans or tofu and leave the highly processed stuff out of it.
What can you take away from this list? If you focus your diet on whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, then your brain will benefit along with the rest of you!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Rowlett, Tex.