Neurologists share foods they would never, ever eat and why

When we think of improving our brain health, we often think of mind-stimulating activities like crosswords, Sudoku or Wordle. But a sharp mind is much more than brain games: daily habits also play a big role in brain health, starting with diet.

While it’s okay to occasionally indulge in certain foods that aren’t good for your brain, there are popular (and of course delicious) foods and drinks that people who specialize in brain health, such as neurologists and neurologists, try to avoid. Here are seven of them.

Protein powder

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Are you in the habit of adding a scoop of protein powder to your daily shake? You might want to stop or at least check the ingredients. According to neurologist Friederike Fabritius, protein powders are often marketed as a healthy, lower-calorie option for people looking to lose or maintain weight, but many are loaded with artificial sweeteners.

“It’s those additives that really give me pause when it comes to protein powders because they mess up your gut microbiome,” Fabritius said. “A healthy and robust internal microbiome is critical to brain health because most of our neurotransmitters are produced in the gut.”

Soda

Sorry, soda drinkers. Neurologist Dr. Shaheen Lakhan says your favorite fizzy drink is just bad for your brain. “Soda is one of the worst foods for brain health because of its high concentration of simple sugars, which damage the blood vessels that supply the brain,” he said. “Over time, the brain is starved of what it needs to function, leading to early dementia and stroke. In addition, sugar also causes brain inflammation, irritability, bad mood and sleep disturbances.”

Also, the constant highs and lows (the proverbial sugar “rush” and “crash”) can also be addictive with cravings and withdrawals – and diet soda is no better. “Even diet or zero-soda versions have negative effects because the zero-calorie additives overload the brain and cause it to consume more calories and crave real sugar,” he said.

Margarine

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Get down on the fake butter! Dr. Shae Datta, a neuroscientist and director of the NYU Langone Concussion Center, said she avoids margarine as much as possible because it contains trans fats. (Although it should be noted that there are trans-fat-free butter alternatives, so check the ingredients list carefully.)

“We often hear that trans fats are not good for your heart and blood vessels. The same is true for the blood vessels in the brain,” she said. A study in the journal Neurology found that older adults with the highest levels of elaidic acid (a common type of trans fat) in their blood were more likely to develop dementia. Better to stick to olive oil and real butter.

Food with cannabis

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With the rise of CBD and the legalization of marijuana in many states, this may come as a bit of a surprise. But just because cannabis is legal and can help you relax, doesn’t mean it’s great for your brain.

“In addition to the short-term cognitive impairment effects of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC, or what makes the ‘high’) appears to constrict the arteries in the brain,” said Dr. Lester Leung, a neurologist and director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Tufts Medical Center. “This can be very dangerous when taken in large amounts by people with migraines, a very common headache a disease that, combined with heavy cannabis use, can cause strokes even in young, otherwise healthy people.

Beer

“Beer is made up of empty calories with no nutritional value,” said Dr. Byran Ho, a neurologist and director of the Movement Disorders Program at Tufts Medical Center. “Alcohol is a neurotoxin that can damage both the central and peripheral nervous systems, even when consumed in small amounts.”

Decaffeinated coffee

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If you’re a decaf fan, Neurologist and Ellipse Analytics CEO Sean Callan recommends skipping this drink without fuss unless you’re sure the decaffeination process doesn’t involve solvents.

“Solvents, the chemicals used to remove caffeine from coffee, are generally toxic to humans,” he said. “Many are associated with an increased risk of cancer or neurological damage, especially at high or repeated doses. Additionally, solvents such as methylene chloride (a solvent commonly used in the decaffeination process) are known to cross the placenta, meaning pregnant women are at risk of exposing their unborn child to the solvent.”

If you still want to enjoy decaffeinated coffee, Callan recommends going to checkyourdecaf.org, where you can find out what chemicals are in any caffeine brands you drink.

French fries

Here’s another problem: French fries are one of the main foods that neuroscientist Dr. Pedram Navab avoids. “A diet high in fatty foods, such as french fries, can damage the blood vessels that supply the brain and lead to cognitive impairment,” he said. “It reduces the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​and causes neuronal damage in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is critical for learning and memory.”

While some of these foods may be easier to give up—looking at you, protein powder, and decaffeinated coffee—some may be a little more difficult. So remember to moderate any of your favorite brain-healthy foods and drinks, and choose a healthier version if possible.This article originally appeared HuffPost.

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