The brain is arguably the most important part of the body. There are definitely other parts of the body we can't do without, but the brain controls them all. And not only does it keep the heart beating at all times and the lungs breathing, it is also the repository of everything that makes a human, human. All your thoughts, feelings, and memories originate or reside in the brain.

Naturally, it is very essential to keep this most vital organ healthy in order to have maximum bodily function. Proper nutrition stands as the difference between a clear head with a sense of purpose and a foggy head with a sense of desperation. Over time, we have come to discover that healthy eating slows the rate of aging-related cognitive decline and reduces the risk of developing dementia.

On the flip side, there are certain foods that are detrimental to your brain. When you take too often, you begin to develop funny experiences like confusion, low mood, and slowed reaction times. In a vicious cycle, a depressed brain has poor ability to make the right decisions in order to improve.

If you know you have some bad habits when it comes to what you consume, it is time to retrace your steps. Although, your brain won’t like a massive dietary overhaul at once, and even though you know it’s the right choice, you’ll struggle to maintain it. Instead, remove the following 4 items from your diet one by one, making a gradual drift that will protect the health of your brain for the long haul.

Crackers and Margarine: The good news is that not all fats are bad for you. However, there is a particular kind of fat called "trans-fat" and it does have a detrimental effect on the brain. Trans fats exists naturally in animal products including meat and dairy, but even these are not as bad as the industrially produced trans fats that are infused into all sorts of packaged foods.most vital organ healthy in order to have maximum bodily function. Proper nutrition stands as the difference between a clear head with a sense of purpose and a foggy head with a sense of desperation. Over time, we have come to discover that healthy eating slows the rate of aging-related cognitive decline and reduces the risk of developing dementia.

On the flip side, there are certain foods that are detrimental to your brain. When you take too often, you begin to develop funny experiences like confusion, low mood, and slowed reaction times. In a vicious cycle, a depressed brain has poor ability to make the right decisions in order to improve.

If you know you have some bad habits when it comes to what you consume, it is time to retrace your steps. Although, your brain won’t like a massive dietary overhaul at once, and even though you know it’s the right choice, you’ll struggle to maintain it. Instead, remove the following 4 items from your diet one by one, making a gradual drift that will protect the health of your brain for the long haul.
Crackers and Margarine: The good news is that not all fats are bad for you. However, there is a particular kind of fat called "trans-fat" and it does have a detrimental effect on the brain. Trans fats exists naturally in animal products including meat and dairy, but even these are not as bad as the industrially produced trans fats that are infused into all sorts of packaged foods.
These trans fat is otherwise known as hydrogenated oil and people who eat a lot of this trans fat in the form of margarine, store-bought baked goods, chips and crackers, frozen and canned meals, and creamy beverages are at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Studies have shown that high consumption of trans fats also leads to earlier cognitive decline, lower brain volume, and poorer memory.
Processed and Packaged Foods: What you don't know is that processed and packaged foods remove important basic nutrition from whole food and replace it with sugar, fat, and salt. This today, is our so-called Western diet which relies on convenience & fast foods and over slow-cooked homemade meals. We understand that people are busy and all making it difficult to make your own stew, sauces, pastas, and baked food.
However, it is important to cook with whole nutritious foods as often as you can, because the so called Western diet is notorious for causing an accumulation of fat around vital organs. This, in turn, is associated with damage to the brain tissues and a reduction in the brain's volume. It may cause disruptions to the blood-brain barrier i.e the membrane that is responsible for protecting the brain from harmful substances.

Alcohol: You're probably surprised that alcohol can harm the brain, considering the kind of things people do under the influence of alcohol. Getting tipsy once in awhile may not cause permanent damage, but alcoholism and bouts of excessive drinking absolutely can.
Chronic consumption of alcohol tends to shrink the brain and disrupt the neurotransmitters that your brain uses to communicate with other parts of the body. Alcoholics also often experience a vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to the development of Korsakoff's syndrome. That syndrome is responsible for severe brain damage that causes memory loss, confusion, unsteadiness, and gradual loss of eyesight.
Sugary Carbonated drinks: Sugary carbonated drinks like sports drinks, energy drinks, and even fruit juice have very little or no nutritional value to the human system. Regular consumption of these sugary drinks which is a norm among Nigerians these days can lead to a lot of physical impairments, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and yes – Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Usually, high intake of fructose, a mega-concentrated sweetener that is found in many sugary drinks, has been revealed to reduce learning ability, memory, overall brain function, and the formation of new neurons in the brain. It may also lead to increased inflammation in the brain, which negatively affects the proper functioning of the brain.

Quite frankly, there is no question that your diet plays a huge role in brain health over the course of your lifetime. Avoiding or seriously reducing your consumption of these 4 foods on our list can improve your cognitive abilities every day as well as into the future when your risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia increases.
Generally speaking, the more healthy whole foods you can eat, the better protected your brain will be. And a clear, happy brain will always remind you of how much good you’re doing for your body, too. In the end, it’s worth it to be able to look back on your eating habits which must have positively affected your life, and still have all of your good memories intact.

Nice one