According toDr. Jamey Maniscalco, PhD,a neuroscientist and founder of Manifest Wellness, two snacks that many people think are healthy—but in reality are not good for brain health—are granola bars and flavored yogurt. “They’re often full of added sugars, artificial ingredients and processed oils, while also lacking the fiber, healthy fats and nutrients your brain needs to thrive. When eaten regularly, they can disrupt the way your brain functions and increase the risk for mental and cognitive health problems over time,” he explains.Before you freak out too much, Dr. Maniscalco says that when only eaten occasionally, these snacks are nothing to worry about. But if added sugar-filled granola bars or flavored yogurt are part of your daily routine, he says that over time they can increase the risk of dementia.Related: The Brain Health Red Flag That Shows Up In the Shower
Dr. Maniscalco adds to this, saying, “Inflammation doesn’t just affect your joints or your gut; it affects your brain too. Inflammatory chemicals can interfere with how your brain cells communicate, making it harder to focus, regulate emotions and stay mentally sharp.”
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Though orange juice has vitamin C, Dr. Perlmutter says that the high sugar content outweighs this benefit. “It causes a rapid blood sugar spike, triggering insulin release and promoting fat storage and inflammation,” he explains. A healthier way to get your vitamin C? Have an orange. That way, you get the added benefit of fiber and don’t get the added sugar that juices contain.
Brain-Healthy Snacks To Have Instead
It bears repeating that not all processed snacks are unhealthy. Consider this yet another reminder to check the nutritional panel and ingredients list when shopping for snacks. If you want a snack that lowers your risk of dementia instead of increasing it, Dr. Begeti says to choose something high in omega-3 fatty acids. This can include a handful of nuts, edamame or smoked salmon on toast.
Transitioning from eating sugar-filled processed snacks to nutrient-rich snacks can be challenging at first, but Maniscalco says it gets easier over time. “One of the biggest barriers to switching from ultra-processed snacks to whole-food alternatives is taste. Hyperpalatable foods overstimulate your taste receptors and reward pathways, essentially desensitizing you to natural flavors. As a result, whole foods may initially taste bland or ‘off.’ But the good news is that your taste buds regenerate every one to two weeks, and your brain adapts too. After even 10 to 14 days of reduced added sugar and processed flavoring, most people report that fruit tastes sweeter, vegetables are more satisfying and cravings diminish. In other words, whole foods start tasting really good—you just need to give your brain and palate time to adjust,” he explains.
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Sources
Dr. Jamey Maniscalco, PhD,neuroscientist and founder of Manifest WellnessDr. Faye Begeti, PhD, neuroscientist and author of The Phone FixDr. David Perlmutter, MD, neurologist and author of The Grain Brain Cookbook, among other booksHence then, the article about these 2 popular healthy snacks can actually increase dementia risk neuroscientists warn was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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