Are you having trouble concentrating or thinking lately? It could be due to the foods you are eating.
Whether it's a task at work or a night out with friends, we all have those days when we have a hard time concentrating. Ultimately, it seems like our brain is hiding behind the clouds. which is what health experts call brain fog.
“Brain fog, or that feeling of brain fog and fatigue, can lead to difficulty remembering names or finding words, and it can be quite worrying,” said nutritionist Angela Emmerton. Body and soul.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this mental exhaustion or confusion could be due to lack of sleep, stress, or mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
What we eat and drink daily to get the energy we need is also an important factor, with poor nutrition being a common cause of brain fog.
With this in mind, health experts say you should limit your intake of certain foods, not only to avoid brain fog but also for the sake of your overall health.
“Highly processed foods, especially those high in added sugars, refined grains, trans fats, and heavy omega-6 oils, promote inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain.” said Dr. Joshua Helman, a doctor who specializes in reversing and preventing cognitive decline. Huffington Post.
“I also advise people to be careful with foods high in sodium, nitrates or artificial additives,” he added. “These can contribute to vascular damage, which is an important factor in cognitive decline.”
Helman noted that moderate exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and plastics in food and water can affect brain function over time.
He also said the connection between unhealthy processed foods and poor cognitive health has led some researchers to call Alzheimer's disease “type 3 diabetes.”
Fortunately, some foods have been found to improve cognitive function and can help eliminate brain fog.
Nutritionist Nicolette Pace recommends foods with sources of lutein, an antioxidant that is part of the carotenoid family, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Pace explained to the New York Post that foods rich in lutein have “shown great improvement in memory, clarity and concentration.”
“Foods rich in lutein are spinach and many dark leafy greens,” he said. “Plus orange/yellow carotenoids like carrots, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes.”
Health experts also recommend physical exercise in combination with foods such as those rich in lutein to combat brain fog and benefit overall well-being.
