As per a recent research published some of the food items such as Brahmi helps to boost our memory power and some of the food items have detrimental impacts too.
What's you food habit and how is it impacting your physical and mental health?
Please share your views on it.
Almost everything we choose to consume will directly or indirectly affect your brain and surely impact our intelligence as humans.
Dear Dr. Atun Roychoudhury
Does food affect intelligence? You may feel free to check this link:
https://www.quora.com/Does-food-affect-intelligence
Almost everything we choose to consume will directly or indirectly affect your brain and surely impact our intelligence as humans.
think almost everything you choose to consume will directly or indirectly affect your brain. Obviously, some things we consume affect us more than others... think , food definitely does affect intelligence. Research has shown that eating the right food at the right time improves our ability to learn and concentrate, promotes quicker reactions. 50% of the brain is composed of fat, and a large portion of this is omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish, walnuts and linseed are all good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential components of brain cell membranes and important for the transfer of brain impulses. Omega-3 fatty acids also have a part to play in the repair and formation of new brain cells, in addition to protecting the brain from natural aging processes.
Fatty fish (sea mackerel, sardines, salmon ...)
More than 50% of the weight of the brain consists of fat, and more than 70% of it is fatty acids from the famous Omega 3 group. These fats are essential in building and protecting brain cells while maintaining membrane fluid. Omega-3 deficiency may be a cause of mental dysfunction and memory disorders. The fatty fish is one of the best sources of Omega 3 ...
According to me, balanced diet surely have the healthy impact on the body fitness as well as brain.
Related link on this discussion:
https://www.quora.com/Do-consumed-foods-affect-the-level-of-intelligence
Maybe! It has long been said that phosphorus improves memory and we need to eat fish as a result. However there is no scientific study to prove it.
Food quality and degree of balance directly affect the brain's performance, and therefore the intelligence and memory strength. The brain needs to provide a constant supply of useful acids because it can not store nutrients.
Food habit for intelligence is negligible but that effect will be there for fitness
I do not think bad eating habits can affect intelligence. But generally eating unhealthy, unhealthy and beneficial food affects the body's health and mental abilities in one way or another.
Yes, the absence of some vitamins and minerals such as iron plays a role in increasing intelligence as well as omega 3.6
Yes certainly there are many foods that strengthen intelligence and memory and affect the health of the body and the most important foods:
Nuts are most important nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios
Honey
olive oil
regards
Toddlers fed a diet packed high in fats, sugars, and processed foods had lower IQs than those fed pasta, salads and fruit, it was found.
The effect is so great that researchers from the University of Bristol said those children with a "healthier" diet may get an IQ boost.
Scientists stressed good diet was vital in a child's early life as the brain grows at its fastest rate during the first three years of life.
This indicated head growth at this time is linked to intellectual ability and "it is possible that good nutrition during this period may encourage optimal brain growth".
Scientists tracked the long term health and wellbeing of around 14,000 children born in 1991 and 1992 as part of the West Country's Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
Parents were quizzed about the types and frequency of the food and drink their children consumed when they were three, four, seven and eight and a half years old.
They were marked on a sliding scale which ranged from minus two for the most healthy to 10 for the most unhealthy.
IQ was measured using a validated test – the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – of 4,000 children when they were eight and half years old.
The results found after taking account of potentially influential factors, a predominantly processed food diet at the age of three was associated with a lower IQ at the age of eight and a half, irrespective of whether the diet improved after that age.
Every 1 point increase in dietary pattern score was associated with a 1.67 fall in IQ.
On the other hand, a healthy diet was associated with a higher IQ at the age of 8.5, with every one point increase in dietary pattern linked to a 1.2 increase in IQ. Dietary patterns between the ages of four and seven had no impact on IQ.
Although a modest increase, the scientists said the study's findings were in line with previous ALSPAC research that linked early childhood diet and later behaviour and school performance.
Dr Kate Northstone said: "This suggests that any cognitive and behavioural effects relating to eating habits in early childhood may well persist into later childhood, despite any subsequent changes – including improvements – to dietary intake.
She noted the brain grows at its fastest rate during the first three years of life – indicating that head growth at this time is linked to intellectual ability.
She added: "It is possible that good nutrition during this period may encourage optimal brain growth."
The findings were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/8308726/Food-for-thought-diet-does-boost-your-intelligence.html
Vitamins and minerals
They are essential for the metabolism and fight against the aging of cells, and neurons are cells... Antioxidants are therefore crucial, and many foods (tomatoes, apples) can provide them.
It has long been said that phosphorus improves memory and we need to eat fish as a result.
As far as my perception goes, food habits is not going to improve your intelligence, but healthy food habits makes you to stay fit. But there is myth in India, that if you eat lady's finger it will improve your intelligence. I don't know whether it is true or not.
Definitely...as our body is completely dependable on food both structurally and also functionally...
In my opinion, intelligence is a genetic trait, therefore it cannot be increased or decreased by eating food or medicine.
Dear respected researchers, you may take a look at this link for further information on this discussion:
https://www.quora.com/Do-consumed-foods-affect-the-level-of-intelligence
Our brain need the energy to work which come from nutrients
imagine skipping a breakfast meal what will happen to your brain which will effect your intelligence later
@Atun Roychoudhury
@Marwa Sahnoun, please can you give more details on your submission for better understanding on this discussion.
Many thanks
I think so as regular eating of fishes, nuts and fresh vegetables, fruits increase the brain function affecting the intelligence of a person.
Omega-3s play a crucial role in brain function and may increase the activity of the brain.If you can get your omega-3s along with adequate intake of the minerals selenium and iodine, you may help protect your brain from oxidative stress and free radical damage that may lead to disorders, like Alzheimer’s.
So the good nutrition is a component of brain function as much as it is of any body part.
Certain food like fish improve brain activity (supposedly including memory). Foods that may have a hallucinogenic effect may slower brain function. For newborn infants it is vital they get a high concentration of fat via mother's milk because it helps with the brain development.
Of course.
There are some food that’s contain a very useful chemical such as omega 3 and others and helps to increase the intelligence Specially in the children’s
You are what you eat!
Eating dead animals do not help your body nor intelligence.
Am not sure of this and I can't prove it scientifically but I know I think better and perform well when I eat good food.
yes, its food habit which decides metabolism and neural function.
Yes, food consumed do have influence on human intelligence, hence, there is need for a proper combination of food items to enhance the brain retentive/thinking capacity
Our eating habits may affect our intelligence because of the quality of the food we eat constantly
In addition, quality of food we eat has great impact on our health and somehow has impact on our brain functioning
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for brain performance. omega-3 deficiency can lead to fatigue, poor memory, and mood swings. Because your body can't make these essential fatty acids, it's important to get them from food. @Olutosin Ademola Otekunrin
Insulin has a major impact on brain functioning, and insulin is controlled by what we eat. Some researchers believe that Alzheimer's dementia is caused by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, in turn, is caused by high insulin levels. So eating foods that raise insulin levels may contribute ultimately to developing dementia. Pick foods with low glycemic index; consider low-carb or even ketogenic diets, and, especially when we get older, low methionine and low protein diets will reduce insulin levels and reduce the risk of insulin resistance, whether in the brain or elsewhere, as in type 2 diabetes.
Insulin also plays a role in reactive hypoglycemia, which impairs brain functioning in the short term. Again, eating foods which raise insulin levels can stimulate excessive insulin in some people, depending on their genetic makeup. The excessive insulin results in a precipitous drop in blood sugar levels. This rapid decrease prompts compensatory mechanisms such as an outpouring of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones impact brain functioning, in addition to the direct effect of low blood sugar.
Actually, a ketogenic diet is high protein, especially animal type, which produces an abnormal gut flora (read as microbiome), which is not desirable. Brain health relies on glucose as its main source of energy, but not from sugared drinks or processed foods. The most important essential fatty acid of omega-3 is DHA over EPA for brain health. Omega-9 fatty acids (olive, canola oils) are also important. Caffeine and exercise (stimulates serotonin, dopamine and endorphins) improve consciousness. Most of the B vitamins and vitamin D are important for cognition and brain/neurologic health.
Bottom line reality: fast food loaded with sugar, salt and "bad fat" are bad for brain health, especially with insulin overload and its detrimental health effects.
Jerome Helman I respectfully disagree with your characterization of ketogenic diets as being necessarily high-protein. This resource https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/ketogenic-diet/ from Harvard points out that popular recommendations are for 10-20% of calories from protein. Even the original 1972 Atkins diet suggested about 30% of calories from protein.
Many people have been adversely influenced by the "fat is bad" mantra first promulgated about 1985. This idea was based on bad science. The only fats which are unequivocally bad for our health are artificially produced trans fats. However, to the extent that consumers became fat phobic, their only recourse to reduce carb intake was to substitute protein. But protein, especially animal protein, is problematic, as you point out. I think this may be especially true when we get older, perhaps even contributing to the conditions of aging.
I agree that a ketogenic diet is not necessarily high protein, but it is still metabolically bad as it can cause a fatty liver, such as has a high fructose corn syrup intake. Fructose does not require insulin for its metabolism, the same as ketones, but both are problematic.
The "good fats" are omega-3 and omega-9 based and non-animal sources: fatty fish (salmon, tuna, sardines), tree nuts (unsalted walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans), avocados, olives and olive oil. Non-animal protein is important for the elderly and larger amounts can improve muscle strength as well as satiety. The uninformed, depressed elderly favor high carb processed foods (drinks, pastry, cake, cookies, candy) more for the sugar high (serotonin, dopamine), but then with the hypoglycemia and its cycle of cognitive decline and further sugar craving.
Jerome Helman As far as I know, ketogenic diets worsening NAFLD has been found only in mice; in humans, a high-fat low-carb diet improves NAFLD.
A medical school classmate of mine, in charge of a liver transplant program, told me that they find a lot of NAFLD in potential liver donors which makes them unsuitable, until their NAFLD has been effectively treated with a low-carb diet!
Yes definitely diet has an impact on the intelligence. Fish foods, leafy vegetables are known as boosters.
Interesting submissions by respected RG members on this discussion
Two relatively new and exciting areas of research are the impact of diet on the microbiome, and plant-based microRNAs which can be absorbed intact by animals and then affect gene expression.
High-fibre diets stimulate bacterial growth in our gut, not only in the colon which is easy to study, but also in the duodenum and small intestine. Bacteria which ferment the fibre produce small-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which is anti-inflammatory. To some extent that brain functioning is related to inflammation; for example, cardiovascular disease which affects cerebral perfusion. Small intestine bacteria also ferment glucose molecules to produce fatty acids; this process would reduce the amount of insulin and in this way affect brain functioning, as per the mechanisms I described in my first response to this question.
As far as microRNAs are concerned, consider the possibility that plants evolved some of these specifically to affect the animals that feed on these plants, in order to improve their own survival.
I do not know if it will impact your intelligence but I do believe that you are what you eat. If you do not eat properly, your brain will not function as it should when it comes to alertness etc. No one can concentrate or have a good nights rest on an empty stomach.
A bit of gut physiology: the "good" bacteria (lactobacillus/bifidobacter) require soluble fiber to produce the short chain fatty acids, which are the metabolic fuel that "runs" the colon (glutamine does the trick in the small intestine, glucose in the brain). Food that is less than healthy (red meat, sodas, many processed foods) result in an abnormal gut flora that is pro-inflammatory, especially for those with inflammatory bowel disease (UC, Crohn's). The small intestine normally has no significant bacterial flora unless there is allergy (celiac disease), inflammation (Crohn's) or obstructive elements.
Yes, you are what you eat, but require supplements for diet deficiencies, especially for vitamin D (majority of adults are in the low or borderline low range [blood level should be at least 40ng/ml]), vitamin B12 (many in the borderline low range [should be >500pg/ml), zinc (food sources generally deficient; MV usually contain only 15mg with 50mg/day required), probiotics (10-20 billion count/day) as most sources not guaranteed or values known, especially commercial yogurts, selenium (dietary sources unreliable; antioxidant that complexes mercury [tuna safer to eat]; anti-cancer benefit).
Jerome Helman Thank you for sharing on gut physiology. However, let's discuss your statement "The small intestine normally has no significant bacterial flora unless there is allergy (celiac disease), inflammation (Crohn's) or obstructive elements." This is what I also learned in medical school. But back then, the field was extremely limited in its ability to explore what actually went on in the small intestine.
Here is an article suggesting that the gut bacteria in the small intestine may play an important role: Zoetendal EG, Raes J, van den Bogert B et al. The human small intestinal microbiota is driven by rapid uptake and conversion of simple carbohydrates. ISME J. 2012;6:1415-1426.
Interesting submissions/additional information@Jerome Helman and Henry Olders. Many thanks
Foods we consume in high doses with acute dosing: like, coffee, sugar, heroin, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, some spices and a few psychoactive plants and mushrooms. Their effects are almost immediate and depend upon how much reaches the brain. The most important consideration is getting enough of the chemical from within the food to its site of action in our brain to actually produce some kind of effect that we can notice and associate with consuming that particular food
I yield to the concept and proof that the small intestine has microbiota more distally (ileum), but due to rapid transit does not produce ill effects unless there is a delay in motility (celiac disease, Crohn's, obstructive elements), then symptoms (pain, distention) and malabsorption become evident and treatment a necessity (antibiotics, diet, anti-inflammatories, surgery).
@Dr. Wahag Abass, please, can you translate this contribution to English for the benefit of all English speaking members on this platform
When it comes to nutrition, it must be mentioned that there are all sorts of foods: some super-foods are your greatest allies against extra pounds, while others stimulate your cognitive function and improve your memory. On the other hand, some foods are known to have a devastating effect on your brain functioning, and nutritionists advise us to consume them moderately in order to limit their negative impact.
For food a great impact and positive influence on humans intelligence due the richness of the mineral and natural elements that nuitrate the body cells.
Eating a balanced diet helps you to stay healthy in general thus all the systems of your body will run smoothly. However one may choose certain foods that will have a positive or negative impact on the brain specifically. For example , consumption of psychoactive foods such as caffeine containing foods, dark chocolate, psychoactive mushrooms, antioxidant rich foods such as pure cocoa powder and black tea can directly improve cognitive function for a short period of time. At the end we are what we eat!
The brain is an organ. Like any part of the body, it performs at it's best when properly fueled. Food can't improve intelligence per se but a hungry child won't be as attentive in class as a well fed child. Studies have proven this repeatedly. Additionally, workplace performance of adults improves when they receive proper nutrition. This would make them appear more intelligent as their performance improves.
Cognitive function relies on the B vitamins and vitamin D to maintain brain and neurologic function and omega-3 and -9 fats and protein for satiety. Processed foods with their insulin stimulating treachery rob cognitive function with hypoglycemic swings. Hunger and hypoglycemia are the robber barons of nutrition science.
It is the quality of food that absolutely do affect largely and leaves an impact on human's intelligence and clever too.
i totally agree S THE FOOD is one main source of energy and minerals to the brain and if you are selective enough you can choose the right food for your brain
Yes, food habits effect on human intelligence. The healthy food is very important for improving the human brain.
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