Protect Your Brain Against POOR Diet Choices
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 2, 2024
Most of us want to eat a healthy diet.
But I get it. That’s FAR easier said than done.
Processed foods are cheap, readily available, and convenient. They fit perfectly into our busy lifestyle.
Besides, if you’re like many folks, your appetite started to shrink as you headed into your senior years. So, grabbing a bowl of sugary cereal or munching on some chips and cookies is often enough to satisfy.
But that not-so-perfect diet can catch up with you in more ways than one. And it could be especially dangerous for your brain.
But don’t give up. Research recently revealed a simple solution that could PROTECT your cognition even when your diet isn’t so perfect.
Chocolate lovers, it turns out you’ve been onto something all along.
The results of a randomized clinical trial published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that cocoa extracts could give your brain a boost.
Researchers analyzed data from a trial involving 573 senior volunteers.
Participants took either a…
- 500-mg cocoa flavanol supplement
- or a multivitamin and mineral supplement
The scientists found that cocoa extracts DID deliver some significant cognitive perks. But ONLY to the folks who didn’t have the healthiest diet to begin with.
Cocoa flavanols enhance blood flow and metabolism in areas of the brain related to memory and cognition.
Plus, the compounds also have anti-inflammatory effects that protect nerve cells from age-related decline.
The study’s authors suggest the brain-boosting compounds in cocoa may partially compensate for diets low in essential nutrients.
Of course, IMPROVING your eating habits should be your first priority. But for seniors who struggle with their diet, a daily dose of cocoa could give their noodles a much-needed nudge.
A cocoa supplement will do the trick. But if you’re a chocolate fan, you can munch on the real deal and get some of the same benefits.
However, the trick to making this brain-health hack work is to choose dark chocolate with the highest percentage of cocoa you can tolerate.
Pick bars with over 60 percent cocoa to reap the brain benefits. Choose anything below that, and the brain-boosting effects start to fade.
And stick to just a couple of squares daily. Overdoing can erase the benefits.
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
Red Fruit Fix for Hypertension!
Concerned about your blood pressure? Forget about an apple-a-day! ANOTHER fruit might be JUST what the doctor ordered for hypertension.
Smoking Accelerates Shocking Brain Aging Symptom
You don’t need me to tell you that our bodies change as we age. You’ve got the wrinkles and gray hairs to prove it. But there’s one INTERNAL change many folks are SHOCKED to learn happens.
Sitting Can Send You to an Early Grave
Sitting a lot raises your risk for heart disease and diabetes. But you CAN counter this threat. And it’s easier than you might imagine.
Mailbag: Tips to Support Someone with Dementia
There are some thoughtful things you can do to help a loved one with dementia feel loved, supported, and safe.
“Forest Fix” CONQUERS Chronic UTIs
Tired of painful UTIs? What if you could dodge your next one altogether? (And the one after that!) Researchers say TREE BARK could be the answer.
Protein WARS: The FINAL Answer on Animal vs. Plant
Some nutritionists claim a protein is a protein, no matter the source. But are animal and protein sources REALLY the same? I’ve got the FINAL answer…
P.S. Cocoa isn’t good for your brain alone. Check out my earlier post, “The Sweet Treat Secret to Flexible Arteries.”
Source:
“Effect of cocoa extract supplementation on cognitive function: results from the clinic subcohort of the COSMOS trial,” January 2024, Volume 119, ISSUE 1, P39-48, doi. org /10.1016/ j. ajcnut. 2023.10.031
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...