Foods and spices that are not good for the brain

Certain foods can actually affect our memory and cognitive abilities, according to Prevention.

Salt negatively affects cognitive ability - Photo: Shutterstock

Salt

Alongside much debate about the effects of salt on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, one study found that high levels of sodium combined with low levels of physical activity had a negative impact on cognitive ability.

In this study, scientists in Canada monitored the activity levels and sodium intake of 1,262 participants aged 67 to 84. The results showed that important brain changes (especially cognitive decline) were found in people who participated in little physical activity combined with a high-sodium diet.

Another study published in the Journal of Neurobiology of Aging also found that regular exercise can counteract the negative effects of sodium on the brain as well as the cardiovascular system.

Trans fats

One of the many reasons to stay away from trans fats is that they can damage your memory. A study published in the journal PLoS One found that high trans fat consumption led to difficulty remembering words and a tendency to mispronounce words.

A follow-up study of 1,018 people who consumed trans fats (ranging from 3.8 to 27.7 grams per day) produced surprising results. When asked to complete a task (remembering a number of words) within a set time, those who consumed the highest amount of trans fats could only recall 65 words correctly, while others, who consumed little or no trans fats, could recall 86 words.

Tuna

Tuna is a great source of protein, especially after intense workouts, but this favorite fish can wreak havoc on your mind.

According to a study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine, people who eat more than three servings of high-protein fish, such as tuna, grouper, snapper, swordfish, and shark, each week are at risk of cognitive dysfunction. The main culprit is mercury content.

Researchers analyzed the seafood eating habits of 384 people and then asked them to complete a series of cognitive tests. Those with high levels of mercury in their blood performed worse on the tests than those with low levels.

High mercury content in tuna can easily cause cognitive dysfunction - Photo: Shutterstock

Saturated fat

After conducting research on mice, scientists at the University of Montreal (Canada) discovered that a diet high in saturated fat in mice "contributes" to weakening the functioning of the mesolimbic dopamine system, also known as the part of the brain that plays a role in controlling motivation and well-being, often related to mood disorders, addiction, and overeating.

Meanwhile, diets high in monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, did not show the same association.

According to New Newspaper