It is well known that many of the foods we eat are beneficial for brain health, such as milk, fish, carrots, and scallions, which have the effect of nourishing the brain and enhancing intelligence. Research has shown that frequently consuming the following 5 types of food can lead to a sluggish and clumsy brain response, and even a decline in memory.
Overly salty food. The human body's physiological need for salt is extremely low. For adults, less than 7 grams per day, and for children, less than 4 grams per day is sufficient. Regularly consuming overly salty food can damage arterial vessels, affect the blood supply to brain tissue, and cause brain cells to be in a long-term state of ischemia and hypoxia, leading to a decline in memory and premature aging of the brain.
Lead-containing food. Lead can replace other minerals, such as iron, calcium, and zinc, in their activities within the nervous system, thus becoming a major "killer" of brain cells. Lead-containing foods mainly include popcorn and century eggs. It should be noted that "lead-free century eggs" do not have zero lead content; they are simply below the corresponding national standard and should not be consumed in large quantities either.
Aluminum-containing food. The World Health Organization points out that the daily intake of aluminum by the human body should not exceed 60 milligrams. The alum in fried dough sticks is an aluminum-containing inorganic substance. Eating 50 to 100 grams of fried dough sticks in one day would exceed this amount.
Food containing peroxidized lipids. Fried foods with an oil temperature above 200°C and foods exposed to sunlight for extended periods, such as smoked fish, roast duck, and roast goose, contain relatively high levels of peroxidized lipids. These substances can accumulate in the body, damage certain metabolic enzyme systems, and promote premature aging or dementia of the brain.
Food high in saccharin and MSG. Excessive intake of saccharin can damage brain cell tissue. While small amounts of MSG are safe, it is best for infants under one year old and women in the late stages of pregnancy to avoid it. Consuming MSG by infants may lead to the necrosis of brain cells; for pregnant women, it can cause zinc deficiency in the fetus, affecting the child's intellectual development.