Forget
your waistline for a second; some of your food choices could actually
affect your memory and cognitive abilities. Here are five foods to go
easy on if you want to keep your wits.
Tofu: The soy
controversy continues with a study that found an association between
high tofu intake and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and
memory loss, as researchers speculate that tofu’s phytoestrogens might
affect brain function.
Sodium: While the debate
about its effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease rages
on, a study found that high levels of sodium intake paired with low
levels of physical activity had a negative impact on cognitive
abilities. People with lower sodium intake paired with lower physical
activity levels showed slower cognitive decline than participants with
high sodium levels and low physical activity. Happily, this is a
reversible curse: regular exercise can counteract sodium’s negative
effects on the brain, as well as the cardiovascular system.
Trans fats: The stuff could hurt your memory, as consuming more trans fat has been associated with difficulty remembering words!
Tuna: It’s quick, it’s
easy, and it’s packed with protein for a post-workout meal. But your
favourite fish could be impairing your mind. According to a study from
the journal Integrative Medicine, people who eat more than three
servings of species of fish that are high on the food chain — like tuna,
grouper, snapper, bass, swordfish, and shark — each week (or more than
four servings per month) are at risk for cognitive dysfunction. The
culprit? High levels of mercury!
Saturated fat:
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that rat diets high in
saturated fat (when 50 percent of all calories come from an unhealthy
fat, like palm oil or butter) impaired the functioning of their brain’s
mesolimbic dopamine system — the part that controls motivation and
wellbeing, and is often implicated in mood disorders, drug addiction,
and overeating.
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