Neurotoxic are those substances that can alter or cause adverse effects on brain functions, nervous system, peripheral nervous system or the senses. Neurotoxic foods are those that produce some alteration or adverse effect at a cognitive, neuronal or cerebral level. These neurotoxic foods are closer than you think, coffee, sugar or alcohol are some of them.
Sugar
The first neurotoxic food could not be other than sugar. Leaving sugar is vital for good cognitive functioning. Refined sugar (white sugar) is a chemical that lacks nutritional values. The total absence of nutrients, produces a negative effect on our body, by which, to compensate, must obtain minerals and vitamins from other foods. This causes a deficiency in some minerals (such as magnesium) and vitamins (group B, essential for good brain function).
In addition, the consumption of sugar produces a large amount of acid residues in our body, and the body must neutralize them through calcium, endangering the health of our bones.
Sugar is the enemy of neurons
Another reason why white refined sugar damages our neurons is that it is absorbed very quickly. The rapid absorption of sugar by the small intestine produces a very sudden increase in blood glucose. The body, to compensate, causes a hypoglycemia (low glucose values). This process seriously damages the neurons.
Refined sugar is not something that we only find in sweets, or in the sugar bowl. Numerous prepared, pre-cooked and processed products include sugar among its list of ingredients.
The alcohol
Alcohol is a neurotoxin. Among its negative effects is the destruction of vitamins, and the dissolution of fatty acids from brain cells. This destruction of brain cells produces a great weakening of memory. The ability to tolerate and metabolize alcohol is different from one individual to another, but in all cases it has a limit. It is time to pass that limit when alcohol becomes a potent toxin for both the brain and the liver.
Drinking alcohol is good for cardiovascular health
If alcohol is poison to our brain, what happens to what is beneficial to the heart? Sometimes the consumption of alcohol is justified because of its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. We cannot deny that a little wine is beneficial for the health of the heart, but it would be necessary to evaluate if it is worth considering the damage that the consumption of this substance produces in the brain.
Caffeine
Any drink with caffeine (coffee, cola or energy drinks) is harmful to our brain. Generally caffeine is consumed with the intention of improving performance, mood, to wake up. Caffeine is a psychoactive alkaloid that produces a small release of adrenaline. This discharge is able to block some receptors in the brain. Are you still thinking that drinking a lot of coffee is good?
Tolerance and intake of caffeine
Sensitivity to caffeine varies from one person to another, being some very vulnerable (who suffer from tachycardia, insomnia or anxiety attacks) to its effects, but in the end, with the continued consumption of caffeine we all develop tolerance. The problem is that the greater the tolerance, the greater the intake of caffeine. The higher the intake, the more tolerance still, and so on. But what happens at the end? The constant intake of caffeine causes the body to lose the ability to generate the hormones that make us feel motivated.
How many of these neurotoxic foods do you take daily?
