FOODS THAT HARM THE BRAIN

Processed Sugar

Processed sugar is the form of sugar extracted from its natural (combined) form. The processing of sugar increases its glycemic index (GI) and also removes its attachments such as vitamins that facilitate its catabolism in the glycolytic pathway. Some other attachments like protein molecules come with the natural sugar help to lower its glycemic index. Therefore sugars are better taken in their natural forms to be released moderately from the rigorous process of digestion when consumed, rather than flood the blood, and, in turn, the brain, when taken in processed form.

Foods with high Glycemic Index are archenemies of the brain, because they flood the blood with sugar. And when sugar-flooded blood is supplied to the brains, it bringings about a trouble state known as sugar surge and plunge - a rollercoaster situation.

The brain, by design, needs only moderate amounts of sugar at a given time to perform its normal functions, but when in excess, the brain is disturbed.

A quintessential analogy of sugar surge is the malfunction of a car engine resulting from fuel-overflow in the carburetor. Just like the car engine malfunctions with excessive fuel in the carburetor, the brain also malfunctions in a flood of it's own fuel - glucose.

The viscious cycle

When the brain senses too much of sugar in the blood, it sends signals to the pancreas to release the hormone insulin which comes in to facilitate the fast movement of the excess sugar in blood to the liver for storage. But the insulin intervention laps up large amounts of sugar from the blood, resulting in a subsequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level). Then, the brain is suddenly deprived of sugar, owing to its own excessive reaction to an ugly situation.

Because the brain can, also, not function well with low sugar (glucose), it signals the adrenal gland to release adrenaline that acts on the liver, causing the release of the sugar that has just been stored. As a result of the strength of the signals from the brain, due to the urgency of the need, the liver floods the blood again with sugar (glucose). Then, a repeat of the earlier phenomenon begins. The normal functions of the brain become disrupted. This leads to brain fog with repeated occurrences results in brain fog.

Sugar binge is really a brain doom, and should be avoided.

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol intake strongly impairs the brain. Binge drinking - having five or more drinks in two hours for men or four or more drinks in two hours for women - is associated with blackout, which is a state of inability to remember what happened in a particular time. This happens, mainly to drinkers who drink too much and too fast. Though, small amounts of alcohol enhances brain performance, binge drinking impairs the brain.

Cheese

Cheese is one of the foods that contain high levels of hydrogenated fat. Studies show that foods of this sort injure the brain in the hypothalamus that regulates food intake. Harvard school of public health says this is correlated with obesity and poor memory.

Artificial food coloring (dye)

Artificial or petroleum-based food colouring are harmful to the brain causing some brain diseases such as brain tumors as it enhances inflammation, hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and so many other diseases.

These cases can be prevented by eating more of natural foods.

Please check the label of that food you want to pay for. Is it artificially colored? If yes, be wise.

Artificial food sweeteners

Artificial food sweeteners are made of substances with molecules that mimic the the original stimulus of sugar molecules on the tastebuds of the tongue, with most of them producing amplified effects which would be many times more than the normal sweet taste of sugar.

Sugars such as glucose are broken down to release energy, but most of the artificial sweeteners cannot be broken down by the digestive system for effective removal from the internal body environment. Therefore, most of them pile up in organs such as the brain to wreck havoc. Most of these artificial sweeteners constitute threat to the brain and the entire nervous system.

Some of the known artificial sweeteners include sucralase (600 times sweeter than normal sugar), aspartame (200 times), ascesulfame potassium (200 times), Advantame (50 times), cyclamate (50 times), neotame (13,000 times), neohesperidin 340 times and saccharine (700 times).

Corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup has recently been found to stimulate the brain almost like cocaine . Over-stimulation leads to over-use of the brain circuits. This results in significant activity in all areas or centers of the brain, especially, the hippocampus. It burns out the brain affecting learning, memory and emotional wellbeing.

Puffer fish

The tetrodotoxin in puffer fish, which is a neurotoxin found colonizing the skin, liver and other organs of the puffer fish zombifies, and can kill a person who eats it not well prepared. It takes out one's nervous system as it moves through the body. The brain is always the worst-hit.

Over cooked starch

When starchy foods are over cooked, the danger of indigestion sets in as the structures of the carbohydrate molecules change to chemical structures that no enzyme in the got can digest.

These undigested carbohydrates molecules in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) later get fermented. As a result of the syndrome that later developes, known as leaky gut, free radicals move into the bloodstream, so much of them get into the brain and wreck havoc.

Festus C. Anaba, B Med.