Brain health isn’t just about keeping sharp with puzzles and honing your memory. Diet matters, too. HuffPost recently talked to neurologists and neuroscientists (the folks who live and breathe brain health) about the foods and drinks they avoid.
7 foods and drinks to stay away from for better brain health
- Protein powder: This surprised me! Most are loaded with artificial sweeteners that can mess with your gut microbiome — an essential factor in brain health because most neurotransmitters are produced in the gut.
- Soda: No shocker here. All that sugar damages the blood vessels that supply the brain.
- Margarine: Most are full of gross ingredients and contain trans fat. Stick with olive oil or real butter, experts say.
- Cannabis-infused foods: THC constricts arteries in the brain. That’s especially dangerous for folks who get migraines or lots of headaches.
- Beer: Sorry, pals. Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can injure the nervous system.
- Decaf coffee: The chemicals used to remove caffeine are toxic to humans — not something you should be ingesting.
- French fries: I know you’re mad at me for this one. Fatty, fried foods can damage blood vessels in the brain, impacting learning and memory.
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