When we talk about eating a healthy diet, most of us are considering a medical weight loss plan or maintaining their weight after a loss. In addition, we all know that a healthy diet can ward off many age-related and weight-related diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

But did you know that your diet also influences your brain health? The link doesn’t seem nearly as obvious, but science proves it is real! For example, a 2019 study described in the journal  Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology found that certain unhealthy eating habits are associated with a decline in brain function (along with an increased risk of dementia).

So, what foods are considered “unhealthy” with regard to brain health? As it turns out, some of the same ones responsible for weight gain and other health risks are also linked to this decline in brain function. Specifically, researchers honed in on processed foods, such as packaged snack foods and frozen foods.

Along with a higher caloric content, which can lead to a variety of ill health effects, researchers pointed their fingers at the additives in these foods. Emulsifiers, such as carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80,  have shown possible roles in inducing low-grade inflammation. And inflammation can interfere with a variety of bodily processes, including brain function.

So, in addition to supporting your medical weight loss plan or weight maintenance plan, a diet high in fresh foods (close to how nature intended) and low in processed (think packaged or boxed) foods will help you maintain healthy brain function. You could even ward off dementia by following a healthy diet.

For more information on medical weight loss or simply eating right to prevent age-related diseases, give us a call. We will schedule an appointment to review your individual health risks, and help you adopt an eating plan that addresses your specific concerns.