Dementia, one of the most devastating conditions to hit families, is on the rise in recent years. The number of people affected by the condition worldwide has spiked to 47.5 million people, according to the World Health Organization. What’s more, is that people are getting dementia earlier than ever before. Decades ago, ‘early onset dementia’ meant those in their 60’s were beginning to develop dementia. Now it could mean people as young as their 40’s are seeing signs of the disease. So, what can be done to help lower your risk? There are many factors such as genetic predisposition that you cannot control, but one that is in your power to change is your diet. Certain foods have been linked to increased dementia risk, while others have shown promise in helping to stave off the disease. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at 6 of the worst foods for your brain:

1. Processed cheese – Highly processed foods are never fabulous for your body, but some are worse than others (especially when it comes to your brain). While real cheese may help raise helpful gluthathione levels which can be beneficial for the brain, processed cheese, on the other hand may have the opposite effect. Products such as cheese whiz appear to raise levels of certain proteins to the body that have been linked with Alzheimer’s.
2. Processed meat – Similarly, processed meats have long been linked to many illnesses such as colorectal cancer, and dementia is no exception. Processed, smoked, and cured meats contain high levels of nitrosamines which can lead to a fatty liver and too many toxins in the brain. Try to consume your meat as close to organic as possible to steer clear of the risks associated with the processed variety. Beer also contains high levels of nitrates and should be consumed in moderation.
3. Microwave popcorn and margarine both contain diacetyl, a toxic chemical compound used in simulated butter that can cause chronic lung problems and has been linked to other conditions such as cancer and dementia.
4. White foods – White breads, sugar and pastas are responsible for spiking insulin levels in the body which in turn, sends toxins to the brain. Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s are highly linked, so it makes sense that the same foods negatively impact both conditions.
5. Eating too much beef raises the iron levels in your brain, which can increase your risk of developing dementia disorders. Even though iron is essential, too little or too much can be bad news. Excess iron contributes to oxidative stress, which can be especially hard on the brain. Aside from that, red meat promotes inflammation within the body (and brain) which can also contribute to dementia.
6. Fructose – For the same reason as white foods, fructose is also bad for the brain as it throws the body’s insulin levels out of whack.Stay tuned next, for 5 of the best foods for your brain! Thanks for visiting DocChat!