The study found they had almost double the risk of mild mental impairment and dementia (12). A study by researchers from Rhode Island Hospital reported a substantial link between increased levels of nitrites and increased deaths from Alzheimer’s. In a recent 2017 study, for example, they compared eight different diets to determine how they affected learning and memory. While it can be easy to spot healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains, it’s not always easy to figure out which foods are unhealthy, or even downright dangerous. “Normally, MIF would be part of the immune response to the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain,” said senior author Jean van den Elsen, “and we think that because sugar damage reduces some MIF functions and completely inhibits others that this could be a tipping point that allows Alzheimer’s disease to develop.”. When scientists examined mortality rates from Alzheimer’s disease between 1968 and 2005, they found the death rates increased dramatically, but that death rates from other brain diseases declined. Results showed that the diet that included a combination of the following five nutrients had the largest effect on learning and memory recall: Other studies have found similar results — that what we eat affects the brain, and that the more “brain foods” we consume, the healthier the brain is. The evidence on saturated fat is mixed. 7 Foods That Help Prevent Memory Loss The solutions to prevent memory loss include playing puzzle games, staying active, having positive social interactions, being mindful, and eating foods that are packed with the nutrients that help our brains to process and retrieve memories. All rights reserved. Popular Holiday Drinks to Avoid and 5 Healthier Alternatives. A high intake of fructose can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, high blood fats, diabetes and arterial dysfunction. Scientists have linked foods high in sugar to memory problems, and that can of soda is one of the highest-sugar options you can consume. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, Western-style diets may increase brain inflammation and impair memory, learning, brain plasticity and the blood-brain barrier. BEST Stretches To Alleviate Shoulder Pain, Smokers are at a 45 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than nonsmokers, People with type 2 diabetes are, on average, twice as likely to develop dementia as those who don’t have diabetes, People with high cholesterol levels in midlife are more likely to develop dementia compared with those with more normal cholesterol, Obesity and lack of activity both increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. 1. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in many sugar-free products. This article lists 10-plus low carb and keto at The…, Serrapeptase is an enzyme produced from the bacterium Serratia marcescens. Artificial sweeteners were all the rage when they first came onto the market, but recent studies have connected them to potential weight gain and sugar addiction. Summary A high intake of refined carbs with a high glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) may impair memory and intelligence, as well as increase the risk of dementia. It turns out that all that glucose in the blood can damage a protein called MIF that is important in fighting the early stages of the disease. It keeps your heart beating, lungs breathing and all the systems in your body functioning. They suggested eliminating these dangerous chemicals from foods and fertilizers. Other studies have linked a high intake of saturated fat with a doubling in the risk for Alzheimer’s, with dangerous trans-fats, such as those found in french fries and other fried foods, associated with two to three times the risk. Some foods have negative effects on the brain, impacting your memory and mood and increasing your risk of dementia. Aspartame is made of phenylalanine, methanol and aspartic acid (35). Healthy, lower-GI carbs include foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains. Certain foods can boost our brain power and improve our memory. Microwave Popcorn Microwave popcorn, which is a favorite go-to snack to eat while watching television or a film This article reveals the 7 worst foods for your brain. The nutrient composition of processed foods in the Western diet can also negatively affect the brain and contribute to the development of degenerative diseases (26, 27). Karolinska Institutet, “Fast Food a Potential Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s,” Science Daily, November 30, 2008, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081128082937.htm. In the study review above, for example, researchers found that diets high in trans fats and saturated fats had a negative effect on cognitive function. An earlier study also found that a diet rich in high-fructose corn syrup sabotaged learning and memory. Not only are most fast foods fried, but many also contain dangerous trans fats, along with other unknown chemicals and fillers. Researchers noted that the study showed a relationship between diet sodas and dementia — it didn’t show that one caused the other. Researchers compared medical records from those who had suffered a stroke or dementia with the participants’ self-reported beverage intake. The more of these items we can get into our meals, the better our odds of avoiding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia that affect memory. Given that its brain is still developing, the toxic effects of alcohol can result in developmental disorders like fetal alcohol syndrome (46, 47). This article reviews Barbary fig, explores its uses and potential health benefits, and explains how you can add this fruit to your diet. In fact, the brain can suffer if we don’t get enough healthy fat on a daily basis. We know these foods aren’t good for us. A high intake of sugary drinks not only expands your waistline and boosts your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease — it also has a negative effect on your brain (1, 2, 3). The post The 8 Worst Foods for Your … Just keep in mind that not only may they affect your weight and your heart, but they also can affect your brain and memory, too. Matthew P. Pase, et al., “Sugar- and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and the Risks of Incident Stroke and Dementia,” Stroke, April 20, 2017, http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/early/2017/04/20/STROKEAHA.116.016027. Summary Mercury is a neurotoxic element that can be particularly harmful to developing fetuses and young children. Just like some foods can help protect the brain, others can cause damage, particularly if we eat a lot of them over time. You can also check out this article for 11 foods that are really good for your brain. Benefits, Uses, and How to Eat It, 10+ Tasty Low Carb or Keto Options at The Cheesecake Factory, Does Serrapeptase Work for Weight Loss? Toxicol., 2012; 25(10): 2083-2091, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/tx3001016. The foods that cause memory loss are popcorn, French fries, pizza, cakes, pies and cookies with frosting, etc. “About dementia: Risk factors,” Alzheimer Society Canada, http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/Alzheimer-s-disease/Risk-factors. Summary A high intake of sugary drinks may increase the risk of dementia. In fact, fish is a high-quality protein and contains many important nutrients, such as omega-3s, vitamin B12, zinc, iron and magnesium. Sugary Products Sugar and sugary products are bad not only for your waistline, but for your brain function as well. We have to be careful not to go overboard, however, and food items like pizza and pasta dishes can give us too much saturated fat at once. This article reviews the benefits of eating…, Rich in powerful antioxidants, grapefruit seed extract is sometimes touted as a natural cure-all. This molecule is found in various parts of the brain, including the hippocampus, and it’s important for long-term memory, learning and the growth of new neurons. Subjects fed such a diet suffered from slowed brain function and poor memory recall. Long-lived, predatory fish are particularly susceptible to accumulating mercury and can carry amounts over 1 million times the concentration of their surrounding water (54). Diacetyl has also been linked with serious lung damage and disease in people who work in microwave popcorn factories. Berries and broccoli are brain-boosting superstars.