These 5 Ingredients Poison Your Brain. Avoid Them at All Costs
Nowadays, there are a lot of toxic ingredients that can disturb the gut, damage the brain, and seriously compromise the health of the liver. Luckily, there are things that we can stay away from and thus, protect ourselves and our loved ones. With this in mind, below, you can check the 5 most dangerous ingredients for the brain. Make sure you avoid them!
Gluten
This protein is present in wheat, rye, barley, kumut, and spelt. It is a sticky substance which binds to the small intestinal wall and it can cause digestive and immune system disorders like celiac disease.
It is important to note that there is also non-celiac sensitivity to gluten which is a condition responsible for inflammatory disorders of the nervous system and brain. According to studies, there is a close link between sensitivity to gluten and brain disorders as well as disorders affecting the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. Gluten can also cause dementia, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disorders.
Artificial Sweeteners
Saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame are different types of artificial sweeteners commonly used in the production of different store-bought foods, drinks, etc. However, they are not good for the brain.
Namely, aspartame, a mixture of methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine, known chemicals, secretes a brain-tumor chemical when broken down. Regular intake of aspartame can lead to migraines, slurry speech, depression, and anxiety. It is present in chewing gums, flavored water, cereals, soda drinks, yogurt, cooking sauces, and other products free of sugar.
MSG
This substance is a concentrated form of salt which is added to various foods to better their flavor. It is known to trick the taste buds and brain to think that the food is tasty and it also encourages the production of surplus dopamine. Since it is an excitotoxin, it has to do a lot with brain damage and other neurological problems like lupus, dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, MS, etc. This dangerous substance is present in canned veggies and soups, salad dressings, barbecue sauces, bouillon cubes, and many other processed foods.
Fluoride
According to the Fluoride Action Network, fluoride is linked to a lower IQ. Another UNICEF founded study points out that there was a reduction in IQ at the level of fluoride added to U.S. drinking water, that is, 0.88 mg/l.
The FAN also notes that 34 other studies found a link between lower levels of IQ and fluoride while many studies also indicate an association between fluoride and fetal brain damage and impaired memory.
Refined Sugar
Regular intake of sugar can cause various health problems, including brain-related issues. Refined sugar suppresses the BDNF or the growth hormone which is pivotal for the brain because it encourages new relations between the brain neurons necessary for the memory.
Several studies point out that low levels of BDNF were noted in schizophrenics and depressed individuals. A high sugar intake can additionally worsen these health problems. Refined sugar can also lead to inflammation and disruptions in the digestive and immune systems.