Relationship between healthy nutrition and brain health

The German Health Center explained that the blood-brain barrier is the physiological barrier between the fluid spaces in the bloodstream and the central nervous system.

The center explained that the function of the blood-brain barrier is to prevent toxins and pathogens from reaching the brain through the blood, and if this barrier does not work properly, the body becomes vulnerable to diseases, such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.

The importance of eating healthy foods

The center added that the blood-brain barrier can be protected through healthy nutrition, i.e. eating foods that are important for brain function, such as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (fish and nuts), magnesium (bananas, nuts, cocoa, and pumpkin seeds), and vitamin B12 (beef meat and liver, eggs, dairy products, and fish).

You should also eat foods rich in secondary plant compounds such as sulforaphane (broccoli), curcumin (turmeric), lutein and zeaxanthin (spinach and kale), and alpha-lipoic acid (spinach and broccoli).

Foods that harm brain health

It is also necessary to reduce foods that negatively affect the function of the blood-brain barrier, such as foods containing the sweetener "aspartame", the flavor enhancer "glutamate" and citric acid (drinks such as lemonade, jam and canned fruits).

In addition, it is necessary to stop using substances that harm the blood-brain barrier, such as nicotine, alcohol and drugs.