FOOD THAT DRAINS YOUR BRAINS

JUST SHARING :-)

Sugar
In case you missed it:  It's no secret excess sugar isn't exactly sweet where your health is concerned,  but now new research indicates it may take a toll on your brain as well as your  waistline. In a recent animal study, UCLA researchers found that rats fed a  solution of fructose had a harder time navigating a maze, a sign of slowed  learning and memory loss, compared to a second group of rats who were given the  fructose solution as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to have a  brain-boosting effect. The researchers suspect that the fructose-only diet  decreased brain activity because it affected insulin's ability to help brain  cells use sugar to process thoughts and emotions. Certain omega-3 fatty acids  may buffer the brain from the harmful effects of fructose.


Use the news: While this research is  preliminary, it's just general good health advice to minimize your intake of  added sugar (see some shockingly sneaky sources here) and up your consumption of  foods rich in omega-3s, including walnuts, salmon, flax seeds and soybeans to  your meals. You've probably heard of smart foods that boost your IQ, but did you  know that some less-healthy options can actually drain your brain? 

Red Meat and Butter
A  diet high in "bad" saturated fat may hurt brain function, according to new  Harvard research published in the Annals of Neurology. When researchers studied  the eating habits and tested the brain function of 6,000 women for an average of  four years, they found the women who ate the most saturated fat scored lower on  tests of brain function and memory. On the other hand, women who ate the most  monounsaturated fats (found in foods like olive oil and avocado) had higher  scores.


Use the news: You  don't need to shun saturated fat sources entirely, but choose low or non-fat  versions of animal products, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk. Avoid processed  meat, like bacon, and stick to lean cuts. Get more protein from vegetable  sources, like soy and legumes.

Chips,  pizza, and other junk food
Will junk food rot kids' brains? A  2011 British study of nearly 4,000 children found that those who ate primarily  junk food (lots of processed and fast food) at age three had a small drop in IQ  five years later compared with children who ate healthier diets. (And the link  remained after researchers accounted for confounding variables, such as  socioeconomic status and parents' education.) Early diet choices especially  seemed to affect kids' verbal abilities, according to Time.com. The study  suggests that smart diet choices may be particularly crucial during early years  of rapid brain development.


Use the  news: It can be tricky to get young picky eaters to eat healthy  foods, but remember that kids need repeated exposure (sometimes a dozen or more  times) to "like" a new food. So don't give up so easily! And many classic kid  favorites, like string cheese and yogurt, make for healthy snacks instead of  processed cookies and chips.

Low-Carb  Diets
Ditching carbs can sap brainpower (along with energy and  mood). A small Tufts University study of 19 women between the ages of 22 and 55  found that when dieters eliminated carbohydrates, they showed a gradual dip in  cognitive skills (particularly on memory-related tests) compared to a group who  stayed on a low-calorie diet that included carbs.


Use the news: Carbs aren't evil-your body  needs them for many important functions, including fueling your brain. So avoid  diets that eliminate or severely restrict them, and choose healthy options, like  whole grain pastas and breads, brown rice, and quinoa.

Gum
Does blowing that bubble boost or  bust your brainpower? Here, the research is mixed. A recent British study  published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology found that chewing  gum during a memorization exercise impaired participants' short-term memories.  The researchers believe the act of chewing may get in the way of concentrating  on memory tasks (In this case, participants were asked to learn the order of  items in a list) The finding contradicts previous research, which found a  positive association between chewing gum and mental tasks.


Use the news: Because of mixed study  results, you might not want to spit just yet. But be sure to include other  brain-boosting habits in your daily routine, such as drinking water (dehydration  can affect focus and acuity), getting plenty of sleep, and playing brain games.