11 Foods That You Might Not Know Can Have Weird Effects on Your Brain

Nowadays, teenagers and particularly kids eat a lot of junk foods. Also, it has become trendy to eat healthy foods. While some read the nutrition facts before consuming food, others avoid these facts and consume it in their regular diet.

We all know that eating junk foods like pizza and burgers is harmful to health, but do you know peeled rice can hurt or harm the brain? Also drinking juices in large quantities cause harm to your body? You might not know, but you follow several false stereotypes about a healthy lifestyle.

Yes, several foods that you eat in your diet contain different chemicals and show a strange effect on the brain. When we buy food, we read the ingredients involved and know which of these would be useful to our body and which are harmful.

But recent studies have proven that you can’t find which foods are beneficial for your health because they contain a lot of chemicals that badly affect your body.

Below is the list of foods that show negative or positive effects on your psyche.

1. Peeled Rice

Source = Pond5

It contains fat carbohydrates which allow glucose molecules to enter into the blood quickly. This increases the sugar level, which can negatively affect brain health and nervous system.

2. Popcorn

Source = Simplyrecipes

The corn kernels that you munch during movies are a rich source of iron, magnesium, and silicon. These ingredients allow the nervous system to function properly. It also contains vitamin B that helps in reducing stress and depression. It is considered the world’s healthiest and most popular food that the body needs in its daily diet.

Do you know it is the official snack of Illinois? It lowers the risk of cancer and severe heart diseases. Also, it contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

After knowing so many benefits of popcorn, I feel we should start watching movies daily so that we can eat popcorn. What are your thoughts about it?

3. Dark Chocolate

Source = Shopify

Is there anyone who doesn’t love chocolates? I guess no one. Chocolates and especially dark chocolates contain flavonoids which are responsible for the functioning of the brain cells. Dark chocolate is not only good for your heart but also lifts the mood and helps you live longer. It is rich in antioxidants and protects us from the damage caused by free radicals.

Consuming dark chocolate makes the vessels bigger, activates brain functioning, and supplies oxygen. It contains high cocoa content and is extremely delicious. The flavonols in dark chocolate produce nitric oxide which sends signals to the arteries. This, in turn, lowers the resistance of blood and reduces blood pressure.

4. Baked Potatoes

Source = Seriouseats

Baked Potatoes contains amino acids, vitamin B, and glucose, which increases the blood supply to the brain and makes sure that it receives the required energy to function. They are rich in potassium and sends oxygen to the brain.

Plain baked potatoes are low in calories and cholesterol-free. It is healthy food when consumed with its fiber-rich skin. Its consumption is different from other vegetables and shouldn’t be the only food in your diet.

Potatoes, when cooked, are beneficial for humans in several ways. They improve bone health, support heart health, help in muscle movement, and improve memory.

5. Curcumin

Source = Rackcdn

Curcumin contains a lot of antioxidants and fights to the age of the brain. It is the main active ingredient in turmeric and matches the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs, without any side effects. It is bioactive substance and fights inflammation at the molecular level.

Curcumin neutralizes free radicals and also activates antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, consuming curcumin is a diet boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor and improves brain function. The main benefit of curcumin is to improve the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of blood vessels. Curcumin is also used as a yellow food colorant and food additive.

6. Solid Cheese

Source = Amazonaws

Cheese comes in several textures and flavors. The taste and nutrition of cheese depend on what milk is used and how it is produced. Do you know eating cheese everyday helps in protecting heart health?

However, it also contains tyramine, which is obtained when protein breaks down. It causes migraines and increases blood pressure.

So, never consume solid cheese if you have a problem of high blood pressure and migraine. Another con related to cheese is that it is not natural. It includes Bovine Growth Hormone that cows are treated with. And the intake of high amounts of BGH can be harmful to health.

7. Saffron

Source = Wp

Saffron is considered the most expensive spice in the world. Nearly 500 grams of saffron may cost you up to 500-5000 dollars. According to research, saffron can also be used as a diaphoretic, carminative, and can bring menstruation. It is also an excellent replacement for food additives.

Saffron contains vitamin C, vitamin B, and several minerals that make the brain to function better and also treats several disorders. It is extremely rich in manganese, regulates blood pressure, and aids iron absorption.

Saffron also contains a sedative compound, safranal which has a greater impact on the nervous system. Since ancient times, it is used on the forehead because of its neurological benefits.

Did you know that saffron is this much beneficial for health? I didn’t know that. I will start taking saffron every day.

8. Cinnamon

Source = Draxe

It is the second most popular spice in the US and has impressive effects on health. Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl alcohol, which makes the brain more active.

The interesting fact about cinnamon is that its smell helps in solving tasks that require fast reactions and a lot of attention. It is rich in antioxidants that protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Cinnamon also reduces the levels of cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, and lowers the risk of heart disease. According to research, cinnamon protects neurons and improves motor function.

I never knew that cinnamon, which I add in the vegetables for a sweet smell, is so much beneficial for health.

9. Beans

Source = Healthline

The beans added in your diet plan contain tannic acid that may lead to problems with blood supply to the brain. Not only beans, but foods like cherries, peaches, and apricots also contain tannic acid and constrict the body tissues.

Tannic acid has low nutritional value and is often linked with esophageal cancer. It may be difficult to avoid tannin as it is found in several foods and beverages, but intake of tannin can be minimized once you understand the sources of this antioxidant.

You will be surprised to know that apples are one of the largest sources of tannins. Wine, fruit juices, beer are also a great source of tannin, so you better avoid these choices in your diet.

10. Lard

Source = Splendidtable

Lard is the fat from pig and contains a rare arachidonic acid. It is found in the body’s tissue and helps in normal brain functioning. It removes impurities and helps in fighting Alzheimer’s disease.

Arachidonic acid is found in animal and human fat and is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid.

11. Crops

Source = Iaea

Crops like wheat, barley, oats, and rye contain gluten that is essential for them to grow. It acts as a binder and holds food together.

What’s not good about gluten is that it can cause problems in certain individuals. It sometimes causes immune cells to overreact and attack them. Its side effects may range from diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, and intestinal damage.

Other than crops and grains, several foods like soups, mayonnaise, bacon, ice-cream, syrups, and more contain gluten.

Final Words

Now, you know which foods could be dangerous and beneficial for your health, so make sure that you consume the daily required amount of these foods in a diet plan. Food, when taken in a limited quantity, is good for health, but excessive consumption could be risky.

If you are looking for the best diet plan in 2019, here are some great tips to follow according to science. It is important to carefully consider the type of food you eat, because it may have both pros and cons.

Do you know or read about other foods that can affect your psyche? If so, drop your comments below.