This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.
Our teamof licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.
Do you remember what you ate forbreakfastand lunch yesterday?
Shutterstock
Odds are it was processed or highly refined and came tucked inside a package.
That breakdown describes what’s called the “Western Diet,” a.k.a.
“Standard American Diet.”
Shutterstock
And what’s bad for the body is also unhealthy for the brain.
Inflammatory oils are linked to cognitive decline.
Too much alcohol may lead to brain atrophy.
Shutterstock
Even drinking what’s considered a moderate amount of alcohol can hurt your brain.
Diets high in processed foods can lead to memory deficits.
Two other hallmarks of the Standard American Diet are saturated fat and added sugars.
Shutterstock
Even more problematic may be our country’s addition to added sugars.
But did you know that chronic high blood sugar can also lead to dementia and other cognitive problems?
A study in the journalDiabetologiamonitored the HbA1c scores of more than 5,000 men and women over roughly 8 years.
Shutterstock
If you haven’t had an HbA1c blood test yet, ask your doctor to prescribe one.