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I’ve seen many people joking that as they reach middle age, their bellies “mature” before their age. Isn’t it true? “Love handles,” “beer belly,” these once proud “successful people’s accessories,” now just thinking about them makes you feel uneasy.
Why? Because scientists say, the bigger the belly, the smaller the brain. It scared me, I quickly put down the fried chicken in my hand and quietly measured my waist. They say “one fat ruins all,” but do they have to target the brain too?
So besides desperately losing weight, there are actually more scientific and delicious ways to prevent becoming foolish, right? Believe it or not, there is. Let’s find out together.
The Bigger the Belly, the Smaller the Brain?
Recently, do you feel like your memory is getting worse, forgetting what you just said when you turn around? You have to think for a while about where your phone is? Don’t rush to doubt life; first touch your belly. British scientists found that the bigger the belly, the smaller the brain.
You heard it right. The “love handles” on your belly are not a symbol of “prosperity” but the “invisible killer” of brain health.
When scientists say this, the British scientists have data to support it. They scanned the brains of thousands of people and found that those with bigger bellies have less gray matter in the brain. What is this gray matter? You can think of it as the “CPU” in the brain, responsible for processing various information, overseeing your learning, memory, thinking, and other advanced functions.
With less gray matter, the brain is like running low on memory, reaction speeds naturally slow down, memory also declines, and even the risk of Alzheimer’s increases.
What’s even more heartbreaking is that Cambridge University’s research also found that fat brains age faster than actual age! In other words, your body may only be 30 years old, but your brain might have “retired” to 50 years already.
Just thinking about it is frightening. If you let loose and allow the “love handles” to grow freely, then dementia is not far away.
Here, are you already trembling, starting to worry about your “brain capacity”? Don’t panic, first take a self-test to see if you are part of the “high-risk group.”
Take out your tape measure, find the narrowest part of your waist, usually a bit above the navel, then measure around horizontally. This is your waist circumference. Next, measure your hip circumference, also known as the fullest part of your buttocks.
In general, for Asian males, a waist circumference exceeding 90 centimeters and females exceeding 85 centimeters, or a male waist-to-hip ratio (waist circumference divided by hip circumference) greater than 0.9, and females greater than 0.8, all fall into the “central obesity” category, also known as the “apple-shaped body.”
If you happen to fall victim, you must take action to prevent the “love handles” from weighing down your brain. Nobody wants to become a “slow-reacting star” at a young age, right?
Scientific Diet to Slow Down Foolishness
If you want to keep your brain sharp, worrying alone won’t cut it. You can’t be worried about “foolishness” while chowing down on fried chicken and chips, right?
So, to have a functioning brain, you need to take practical steps. Scientists have found a “brain-protective” dietary secret – the Mediterranean diet. This diet isn’t some trendy recipe; it’s the eating habits developed by locals over thousands of years.
They take their diet seriously. Fresh vegetables and fruits are essential daily, various fish, seafood are common guests on the table, plus whole grains, legumes, nuts, are foods they enjoy.
Olive oil is the soul of the Mediterranean diet; you can’t do without it, be it as a dressing, for cooking, or baking. Comparatively, they rarely consume red meat and processed foods.
This natural, healthy lifestyle not only gifts them with enviable bodies but also keeps their brains youthful and energetic.
Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet is not only delicious and healthy but also reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes. To everyone’s surprise, Spanish scientists have found that people who adhere to the Mediterranean diet have a 10% lower risk of cognitive decline. In other words, the Mediterranean diet can prevent Alzheimer’s.
It seems that to keep your mind agile and responsive, you should learn from the Mediterranean people and adopt their “brain-protective” tips.
Which Foods to Eat to Prevent “Foolishness”?
However, fighting against foolishness isn’t just about dieting and weight loss; you don’t have to bid farewell to delicious food to have a sharp brain. Besides weight control, there are many more relaxed and enjoyable ways of living.
As the saying goes, “food is people’s top priority”; to have a functioning brain, you first need to watch what you eat smartly and healthily.
When it comes to “brain-protective” diets, the MIND diet is the top contender. Combining the advantages of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, it specially selects foods that are particularly friendly to the brain.
Pay attention. If you want a sharp brain, here are some foods you should eat more of daily:
– Other Vegetables: Tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, etc., a variety of colored vegetables are a must for balanced nutrition to make the brain more “intelligent.”
– Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc., these nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, which can improve memory and cognitive function.
– Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc., these brightly colored berries are rich in antioxidants, protecting the brain from free radical damage.
– Legumes: Soybeans, black beans, green peas, etc., these legumes are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals, providing the energy the brain needs.
– Whole Grains: Whole wheat bread, brown rice, oats, etc., these whole grains are rich in dietary fiber and B vitamins, improving cerebral blood circulation.
– Fish: Salmon, tuna, sardines, etc., these deep-sea fishes are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can enhance memory and learning ability.
In addition to these, there are many other high-quality healthy foods you can mix and match as per your situation. But some foods should be eaten in moderation, such as red meat, sweets, fried foods, etc. These foods tend to lead to health problems like obesity, high cholesterol, which are not beneficial to the brain.
Also, “life is movement” is not just said in passing. Exercise is the “secret” to keep the brain young. Do you think only young people need to exercise their brains? Wrong. Research shows that people who exercise regularly have a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
Why does exercise help keep the brain sharp? When you exercise, blood circulation in the brain accelerates, like giving the brain a spa treatment, filling it with vitality. Furthermore, exercise promotes the growth of nerve cells, making the brain younger.
Moreover, research indicates that “aerobic + anaerobic” interval training is especially beneficial for brain health. If you combine regular exercise with a balanced diet, you can achieve better results with less effort.
In terms of exercise, you can try jump rope, running, swimming, and other aerobic exercises, at least three times a week, with each session lasting at least 30 minutes, getting your body moving so your brain can be more agile.
So, stop making excuses for yourself; starting today, join the exercise brigade. Walking, jogging, dancing, as long as you enjoy it, any type of exercise is good.
Other Than Weight Loss, How to Prevent Foolishness?
In addition to the diet and exercise mentioned above, what else can we do in our daily lives to prevent foolishness? The answer lies with those spirited elders in their prime. Look at them, either dancing and singing in the square or playing chess in the park, always full of energy and youthful vigor, hardly showing their age.
Many young people often say they are not as healthy as the old, not as young as the young ones. In fact, when they say not as healthy as the old, they are referring to physical fitness; many of today’s elderly people take very good care of their bodies, going out for travel or dancing whenever they can.
Therefore, if you want a sharp brain, sitting at home won’t cut it; you have to get out, socialize more, participate in community activities. Stop staying indoors the whole day, go out more, talk to old friends, chat, can’t you see those happy and energetic elderly people look much younger?
It’s evident that having a positive and optimistic attitude is essential to preventing foolishness. As the saying goes, “smiling can make you ten years younger”; a good mood is the best “brain-protective tool.” Those who are frowning, anxious, tend to be more susceptible to Alzheimer’s.
So, to have a sharp brain, you need to learn to reduce stress and maintain a positive attitude. Instead of always getting worked up, try to think more positively when facing problems.
In addition to meeting old friends and socializing, you can also cultivate some hobbies, such as gardening, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, etc., to make life enjoyable. A joyful life will keep your brain “young.”
Lastly, and most importantly, don’t burn the midnight oil. Chronic late nights can harm your brain. Research shows that people who stay up late frequently have a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer’s.
Because staying up late disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, affects the brain’s normal rest and repair, and over time, the brain may “break down.”
So, for the sake of your brain health, maintain a regular routine, sleep early and wake up early, ensure adequate sleep. High-quality sleep is the “secret” to keep the brain young.
Conclusion:
After reading all this, doesn’t “brain protection” seem not so difficult? To keep a sharp brain, you don’t need to go through extreme measures; just start with the daily bits and pieces of life to keep the brain energetic and youthful.
Do you remember what we said at the beginning? The bigger the belly, the smaller the brain. So, hurry up, put down the snacks, and get moving. A healthy lifestyle and habits are the ultimate weapon in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. #Seeking those who love to express themselves#
