1. Alcohol
Alcohol has a reputation as a brain killer. Alcohol wreaks the liver, but it can cause some serious damage to the brain cells as well. Well-known side effects of alcohol includes memory lapses and a lack of focus.
Prolonged alcohol abuse has also caused disruption in cognitive faculties. Therefore, stick to the recommended alcohol intake which means drink occasionally, or abstain completely. Do not over indulge.
2. Junk Food
There is a reason why it's termed 'junk' food; Burgers, fries, and the likes manage to tempt the devil in us, all thanks to their excessive fatty content, which is responsible in creating not only an increase in weight but a consistent addiction. Unrestricted consumption of junk food interferes with the production of dopamine, our 'happiness' chemical, fueling symptoms associated with mood swings and depression.
3. Sugar-rich Food
Added sugar is understood to be the factor behind neurological problems. Excessive consumption reduces the production of a brain chemical known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Its absence impairs learning and memorizing as well. Sugar's addictive nature promotes indulgence, long-term consequences of which affects learning ability and poor cognitive skills.
Added sugar is understood to be the factor behind neurological problems. Excessive consumption reduces the production of a brain chemical known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Its absence impairs learning and memorizing as well. Sugar's addictive nature promotes indulgence, long-term consequences of which affects learning ability and poor cognitive skills.
4. Fried Food
Deep-fried food items, typical to the Southern style of cooking, have been singled out as the reason behind Southeast America's reputation as the 'stroke belt'. The high levels of fat and cholesterol present in fried food lay deposits on the walls of the arteries supplying blood to the brain. Lack of adequate blood supply is what eventually causes a stroke. So, when your regular diet consists of high level fatty fried chicken, you know you are inviting trouble.
Deep-fried food items, typical to the Southern style of cooking, have been singled out as the reason behind Southeast America's reputation as the 'stroke belt'. The high levels of fat and cholesterol present in fried food lay deposits on the walls of the arteries supplying blood to the brain. Lack of adequate blood supply is what eventually causes a stroke. So, when your regular diet consists of high level fatty fried chicken, you know you are inviting trouble.
5. Processed Meals
Processed meals sound like a blessing, considering the hectic lives we live. With very little time on our hands, frozen meals have become constant companions to most of us. However, regular consumption of packaged meals can increase the risk of Alzheimer disease, which is a form of dementia that degenerates brain cells over time.
Processed meals sound like a blessing, considering the hectic lives we live. With very little time on our hands, frozen meals have become constant companions to most of us. However, regular consumption of packaged meals can increase the risk of Alzheimer disease, which is a form of dementia that degenerates brain cells over time.
6. Salty Food
Just like sugary substances, salty foods can be addictive as well, and with dangerous consequences. Sodium is known to interfere with our blood pressure, but did you know that it disrupts our thinking abilities as well? Not for nothing do doctors advise us to cut down on salts. Salt, as a premium preservative, is generously used in pickles, so refrain from over indulgence.
Just like sugary substances, salty foods can be addictive as well, and with dangerous consequences. Sodium is known to interfere with our blood pressure, but did you know that it disrupts our thinking abilities as well? Not for nothing do doctors advise us to cut down on salts. Salt, as a premium preservative, is generously used in pickles, so refrain from over indulgence.
7. Processed Proteins
Proteins - good, fats is bad; but when proteins include processed proteins, as in sausages, pepperoni, and salami, we're treading a dangerous ground. Preservatives, like sodium nitrate, that go into processing meats, combine with the proteins to form the cancer-inducing agent nitrosamine.
Proteins - good, fats is bad; but when proteins include processed proteins, as in sausages, pepperoni, and salami, we're treading a dangerous ground. Preservatives, like sodium nitrate, that go into processing meats, combine with the proteins to form the cancer-inducing agent nitrosamine.
8. Nicotine
Nicotine may not exactly qualify as food, but to many among us, it rates higher than food. Cigarette the cancer stick is known to restrict the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain. Further, it tightens the capillaries, and affects the function of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that aid communication within our body.
Nicotine may not exactly qualify as food, but to many among us, it rates higher than food. Cigarette the cancer stick is known to restrict the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain. Further, it tightens the capillaries, and affects the function of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that aid communication within our body.
9. Artificial Sweeteners
Many of us live with the misconception that artificial sweeteners are damage-free, but we couldn't be more wrong. Like most other things mentioned in this list, moderate consumption of artificial sweeteners does no harm, but yes, abuse them, and you'll have to suffer the consequences, which include brain damage.
Many of us live with the misconception that artificial sweeteners are damage-free, but we couldn't be more wrong. Like most other things mentioned in this list, moderate consumption of artificial sweeteners does no harm, but yes, abuse them, and you'll have to suffer the consequences, which include brain damage.
10. Trans Fats or Fatty Food
Trans fats are present in most of our packaged food items, particularly in the delicious chips that we love to wolf down and in most concentrated carbohydrates food like Iyan, Rice, Eba, Pizza, Burger, etc Some of these food must be avoided at all cost, some can be eaten occasionally but in little portions. Fatty food, over a period, make people susceptible to suffering from stroke, as they clog arteries with deposits of cholesterol. Also, they beget the shrinkage of the brain, unlike what happens to patients of Alzheimer's disease.
Not a single food item on this list came as a surprise, as these happen to be health offenders all the way. The emphasis now remains in how we manage to avoid or minimise these food items, and slip as far away from them as possible.
Trans fats are present in most of our packaged food items, particularly in the delicious chips that we love to wolf down and in most concentrated carbohydrates food like Iyan, Rice, Eba, Pizza, Burger, etc Some of these food must be avoided at all cost, some can be eaten occasionally but in little portions. Fatty food, over a period, make people susceptible to suffering from stroke, as they clog arteries with deposits of cholesterol. Also, they beget the shrinkage of the brain, unlike what happens to patients of Alzheimer's disease.
Not a single food item on this list came as a surprise, as these happen to be health offenders all the way. The emphasis now remains in how we manage to avoid or minimise these food items, and slip as far away from them as possible.
kemi eba and amala can never be avoided.
ReplyDeleteTime to re-adjust
ReplyDeleteNo short cut, healthy life is the only way.
ReplyDeleteNot easy
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