JAKARTA, The Shiro Corp The brain is the control center that also functions to process information, sending messages that control everything.
As age increases, the brain will undergo physiological changes that can affect memory, focus, and thinking abilities.
Brain aging is a natural process. The decline in cognitive function can be slowed down or even prevented with a healthy lifestyle, one of which is through diet. Unfortunately, not all foods are good for the brain.
Some types of food can actually accelerate the decline of memory if consumed too frequently or in excessive amounts.
It is important to be more selective about what enters the body, especially if wanting to keep the brain sharp and healthy until old age.
Quoting the page WebMD , the following foods should be avoided to prevent memory from weakening over time.
1. Fried food
Fried food contains high trans fat because the oil is oxidized when heated at high temperatures.
This fat is known to cause inflammation in the body, including the brain.
A study in Journal of Clinical Lipidology showing that excessive trans fat consumption can reduce cognitive function and accelerate memory decline.
In addition, the frying process also produces toxic compounds such as acrylamide, which have harmful effects on the nervous system.
2. Food with added sugar
Too much consumption of added sugar, such as in sweetened drinks, cakes, or instant cereals, can cause insulin spikes and trigger insulin resistance, including in the brain.
This interferes with communication between nerve cells and can affect memory.
Research from Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Finding a high-sugar diet related to an increased risk of memory disorders and dementia. Sugar also promotes chronic inflammation that weakens cognitive function.
3. Margarine
Although it is an alternative to butter, margarine usually contains trans fats and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that can potentially damage brain cells.
According to Harvard Health Publishing , chronic inflammation is known to worsen brain inflammation and reduce the volume of the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory formation.
If consumed in excess, margarine can disrupt the brain's nutritional balance and trigger oxidative stress.
4. Processed food flour
White bread, cookies, instant noodles, and biscuits are examples of flour-based processed foods with a high glycemic index.
The food is broken down more quickly into sugar in the body, causing a drastic spike in blood sugar.
Over time, this surge can affect the blood vessels in the brain and reduce the ability to concentrate and remember.
A study in the Nutrients Journal states that high consumption of processed carbohydrates is associated with a greater risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
5. Fast food
Fast food contains high levels of saturated fat, sodium, and preservatives. These components can interfere with blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of inflammation.
Research in Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology stating that regularly consuming fast food can reduce memory function, worsen mood, and even increase the risk of depression.
Poor nutrition from this food also reduces the supply of important vitamins and minerals for the brain, such as omega-3, magnesium, and vitamin B.
6. Processed meat
Processed meat contains nitrites, high sodium, and other preservatives that have a negative impact on the brain.
A study from BMJ in 2021 showed a relationship between processed meat consumption and reduced cognitive function, especially in terms of verbal memory and information processing speed.
Nitrite can also form neurotoxic compounds that affect the central nervous system if consumed over a long period.
7. Soft drink with aspartame sweetener
Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener commonly found in diet candies, sugar-free gum, or beverages labeled "zero sugar."
Although approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in certain amounts, research shows that excessive consumption of aspartame can affect brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
Study in Research in Behavioral Neuroscience Finding aspartame can cause short-term memory disorders and increase the risk of oxidative stress in the brain.
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