Memory loss is unusual forgetfulness. As terrible as it is, physicians warn that one may not be able to remember new events, recall one or more memories of the past, or both if memory loss happens!
They advise that in certain circumstances, someone may suffer memory loss, may be for a short time and then resolve (transient). However, it may not go away, and, depending on the cause, it can get worse over time, the physicians say.
One of the culprits contributing to memory loss is wrong food choices, with nutritionists saying that too much salt and saturated fat can cause inflammation, leading to brain fog and cognitive decline and increasing a person’s risk for other conditions.
So, what are the foods that can contribute to memory loss as time goes on? These ones:
Alcohol
Experts say alcohol is not what most people would consider food, but it has some extreme effects on the brain when consumed in excess.
According to human nutritionist, Dr. David Olokomoda, “Most people’s consumption of a few drinks a week won’t be the problem; but heavy drinkers should concern themselves with the possibility of their lifestyle causing dementia later in life.
The nutritionist warns, “Overconsumption of alcohol leads to a reduction in brain volume, disruption of neurotransmitters, and many other adverse health consequences for the brain and many other organs in the body.
“Anyone who has consumed alcohol before is also likely aware of how much it can affect short-term memory as well. These memory lapses, often called blackouts, result from the alcohol blocking the receptors to the hippocampus, which is where the brain creates new memories.”
Artificial sweeteners
In our drive to avoid too much sugar, we tend to settle for the so-called sugar alternatives, otherwise called artificial sweeteners.
Yet, dieticians say the evidence that artificial sweeteners cause cognitive decline is a bit all over the place, warning that more research on the subject is needed.
Still, some studies show that artificial sweeteners like aspartame could act like neurotoxins in high amounts, inevitably impairing the user’s memory.
“Much like with consuming anything else, they’re usually okay in moderation. However, long-term use could affect how your brain functions.
“Even with the ongoing conversation about artificial sweetener’s effects on the brain, it’s best to err on the side of caution,” Consultant Dietician Mopelola Thomas warns.
Fried foods
Fried foods tase amazing, isn’t it? Indeed, they do. But experts warn that most people are also aware that fried foods aren’t good for them, but their taste buds won’t allow them to eat more healthily!
Dr. Thomas says most people don’t know that anything fried, regardless of how healthy it is, could potentially be problematic for cognition.
“That’s because food heated to such high temperatures, like in a deep fryer, can form compounds that might be toxic to brain cells,” she said.
Refined carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates, such as those found in pasta, white bread, and pastries, have a high glycemic index.
“Eating them causes your blood sugar to spike. While this isn’t inherently bad for the generally healthy individual, consistent blood sugar spikes can impair your brain’s ability to function over time,” Dr. Olokomoda says.
He says that higher consumption of refined carbohydrates also typically shows more inflammation throughout the body and brain.
“A diet of mostly refined carbohydrates can lead to nutrient deficiencies, impacting the efficacy of every part of the body, including the brain’s ability to hold on to memories,” the nutritionist.
Bottom line
There are many reasons to avoid overconsuming fried foods, but the fact that they generally lead to lower scores on cognitive tests makes them one to limit if you’re worried about memory loss, scientists say.
