You're Probably Eating One Of The Five Foods That Cause Brain Fog

Feeling unproductive? Fatigued? Having trouble concentrating? These are just some of the complaints associated with brain fog.

Brain fog is characterized by cognitive impairments to memory, attention, executive function, and the speed of cognitive processing. It is not a medical condition itself but rather symptomatic of an underlying condition that can range from poor nutrition or illness to undiagnosed food sensitivities or sleep deprivation.

Aspartame is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners worldwide and also one of the most controversial. The public health crisis of rising obesity drove us to embrace the idea of sweetness without the calories. But study after study has shown that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, can do more harm than good3.

When aspartame is ingested, it breaks down into three different compounds: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. When consumed in isolated and large amounts, as in aspartame, they then are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, excite the brain cells, and trigger their death. Even worse, methanol further breaks down to formaldehydes, which are neurotoxic and carcinogenic.

Sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and sodium/potassium benzoate are salts added to processed foods, particularly meats, to preserve freshness. The food industry relies on these additives as taste enhancers and as a way to preserve bright colors that will catch the eye of the consumer.

Although the use of these additives is approved by the Food & Drug Administration in regulated amounts, these chemicals are classified "Group 1 Carcinogen" by World Health Organization (WHO) experts. A large number of health complaints have been reported by consumers: among them skin issues, respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, and brain fog.

Various components in alcohols can cause sensitivity, and the severity of the allergic reactions depend on the person’s genetic profile, one major symptom being brain fog.

Milk and dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and whey protein (found in bodybuilding and energy drinks) are just one of the food categories that the FDA has also recognized as a major allergen, potentially causing allergic reactions in some people that can range from mild to severe, and in some cases can be fatal.

Other foods considered major allergens are gluten, soy, egg, shellfish (two kinds: crustacean and mollusk), tree nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, and cashews), peanuts (in the legume family), certain types of finned fish, and sesame. For people with sensitivities or allergies to these foods, the body sees the proteins as a threat and produces antibodies to chase them out.

If you experience symptoms of brain fog, headache, or digestive discomfort when you eat a specific type of food, you may have a sensitivity but not necessarily an allergy. With either situation it is best to avoid those foods altogether, and be careful when reading labels, as there may be hidden ingredients, especially milk and eggs.