Memory loss is becoming a common problem, especially in old age. Here are 9 foods that can induce memory loss, which you should stay away from.
Contents
Our brain needs just as much exercise as our body needs it. For our brain, the primary source of exercise is food. Food contains all the essential ingredients for our brain to function properly. When the brain cannot receive these nutrients, it starts to malfunction.
Memory loss is the most common sign of decreasing brain function. Now a person can suffer from memory loss due to plenty of reasons such as aging and an improper diet.
Memory loss can also be associated with medical conditions such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Around 11.3% of the citizens older than 65 have Alzheimer’s dementia in America. This article will focus on the dietary aspect related to memory loss.
On that note, you might also like to read about foods to fight alzheimer’s.
Why Food Is Essential For The Prevention Of Memory Loss
Food is equally important as physical activity for good health and well-being. Our brain requires nutrients and vitamins to remain active and sharp, so to keep it going, we must consume food items that are rich in these vitamins and nutrients. If the brain does not get these things in a sufficient amount, you can suffer from memory loss.
The brain is the most essential part of our body, and it is also responsible for our memories. Memory loss is a very severe condition to go through as your body and brain cannot respond to the ongoing changes in your body. Following a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins is simple, but it can also positively change your brain health.
Memory loss plays a vital role in disturbing sleeping patterns or even loss of sleep. Loss of sleep is also a significant contributor to depression and anxiety. In America, about 19.4 million people experience at least one episode of major depression. Maybe a good memory foam mattress can help the Elderly.
You can avoid and prevent such episodes by tweaking some of your diet and eating habits. It is expected that by 2030, dementia will affect about 65 million people worldwide.
You might like to read: Best Memory Foam Toppers for Seniors
Foods that can Induce Memory Loss: Top 9
#1 Tuna
It is a fact that tuna is very rich in proteins, and it will keep you healthy. But you should consume tuna in moderation. Eating tuna in an excess quantity can cause the brain’s functioning to decline.
Ideally, you should consume tuna twice a week or after an intense workout. Tuna also has high levels of mercury in it. Mercury can be significant for causing brain dysfunction.
You can replace tuna with salmon as it contains unhealthy amounts of mercury. Salmon is likely to boost your memory and has no side effects on your brain.
#2 Soy
Soy is another food item that has benefits but not more than the harm it can cause to you. Soy is consumed in many forms, whether soy sauce, tofu, or others.
Soy has a high ratio of sodium in it. Sodium is not healthy for the brain. If you eat too much soy, you can also develop hypertension.
Hypertension is another name of high blood pressure. In this condition, the flow of blood is restricted, due to which it is unable to reach the brain. Less blood reaching the brain can cause memory loss. You can also face some difficulties in the organizational skills of the person.
#3 Alcohol
Alcohol consumption has a long-term effect on the brain. Even if you are not an avid drinker, alcohol consumption can still affect your brain. Even moderate drinkers can have their brain cells weakened. Weakened brain cells can be one of the significant causes of memory loss. It will help if you cut out alcohol consumption to prevent memory loss.
#4 Orange juice
Orange juice also has a high amount of sugar in it. Sugar is not healthy for your body. Sugar is responsible for cognitive dysfunction.
An imbalance in cognitive functions will promote bad decision-making. Sugar can also affect your reasoning skills, due to which you can end up in difficult situations.
#5 White rice
White rice is full of carbohydrates, and excess carbs make you very vulnerable to depression. Instead of consuming white rice, you can eat brown rice or switch to whole wheat products.
You might like to read: 8 Foods that Fight Alzheimer’s
#6 Beverages
Beverages with higher sugar content are among the worst enemies for your body. These beverages include sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and artificial fruit juices. These drinks hurt
A very common component in these sugary drinks is a high-fructose corn syrup, commonly known as HFCS. This sugar constitutes 55% of fructose, and the remaining 45% is glucose. Higher fructose consumption is associated with obesity, higher blood pressure, arterial dysfunction, and diabetes.
Any metabolic syndrome is also linked with an increase in the long-term risk of developing dementia. If your exposure to fructose does not decrease over time, our brains start to develop insulin resistance. Insulin resistance gives birth to less formation of brain neurons, due to which you can suffer from loss of memory.
#7 Foods higher in trans fat
Trans fat is unsaturated fat, and unsaturated fats are the type of fats that our body finds difficult to digest and break down. Due to this reason, these fats are accumulated in our body for a longer time. Commonly you will find trans fat in animal products such as meat, fish, milk, butter, cheese, and so on.
Trans fat is directly l inked with cognitive decline and increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This type of fat is generally produced industrially. Industrial trans fat comes from vegetable oils and similar products. Packed foods and snacks also have this fat nowadays.
You can prevent yourself from this condition by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat protects against cognitive decline, according to a research study.
Omega-3 increases the amount of special anti-inflammatory compounds inside our bodies. Adults should consume more omega-3 as their body already has inflammation. You can find omega-3 in food items such as fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.
You might like to read: Dementia – The Complete Guide for Seniors and Caregivers
#8 Processed food
As you already may know, eating processed food is not healthy for you mainly because it has added chemicals and preservatives that make them last longer. An average person’s processed food intake includes instant noodles, chips, popcorn, and ready-to-eat meals. You will also find high salt, fats, and sugar in these processed items.
Processed foods are likely to increase your blood pressure as they contain a high amount of calories in them. Some of these processed foods also directly cause a negative impact on your brain health.
If the fat around the brain increases, it can cause those organs not to function properly. This will ultimately lead to brain tissue damage causing memory loss.
According to a research study on 130 people, metabolic syndrome causes a significant decrease in brain tissues even if the syndrome is in the early stages. Metabolic syndrome can ultimately also give birth to degenerative diseases.
Processed foods also reduce the production of a unique molecule inside our brains called the brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF. This molecule is responsible for long-term memory. It is found in various parts of the brain, including the hippocampus. If this molecule is present in a lesser quantity, the brain will lose its long-term memory.
#9 Aspartame
This is a substance mainly found to replace sugar in sugar-free products. This substance is an artificial sweetener that people who have diabetes or a weight loss diet choose to consume. Aspartame is responsible for behavioral and cognitive issues in the body.
This substance can cross the blood-brain barrier, a barrier that protects the brain from exterior substances. Once this substance enters the brain, it affects the production rate of neurotransmitters. These are the main reasons why you should not consume this substance regularly.
You might like to read: 14 Benefits Of Berries As You Age
Food Items That You Should Consume To Boost Your Memory
- Fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids: Instead of eating fish with high amounts of mercury, you can go for the fish with extra omega-3. Omega-3 is a substance that helps the brain to function properly while it also improves memory retention.
- Coffee: Coffee contains substances such as caffeine and antioxidants in it. These are substances that are linked with positive brain health. Although you should not consume them in excess quantities, extra caffeine can also cause insomnia.
- Blueberries: Blueberries have various positive effects on your health, including your brain. You will find a unique compound known as anthocyanins in them; this is a plant-based substance that has an anti-inflammatory effect as we know that inflammation in the brain is among the leading causes of brain damage and memory loss.
Overview
The brain controls our body’s functions and helps us to understand and interact with the world. After a certain age, it’s important to take care of the brain but the sooner we start the better it is. We can prevent memory loss by making positive changes to our diet.
This article highlights the food items that can induce or cause memory loss among people. You can ignore such food once in a while and eat foods that are better for the brain.
The food items mentioned above are carefully selected along with the facts and figures that suggest their negative impact on the body. There are a variety of simple and delicious ways of improving your memory.
Try and add these food items to your daily routine or diet and you will see the positive impact of these items instantly.
We hope this information was useful for you. Please share the article on your social media accounts so that others can also benefit from the knowledge.
