This is explained by the British dietitian Yaa Boakye in an interview with Huffpostby drawing up the list of products that directly disrupt the concentration. Too sweet, too salty or poorly associated, these foods modify the functioning of your brain. And the worst part is that they are part of the daily life of millions of French people. Here is what to avoid.
The trap of quick sugars for breakfast
A muffin or a tart of white bread with jam: this is a classic in the morning … which does not do your brain service. These products cause a peak of blood sugar, followed by a brutal fall, which disrupts the ability to remain attentive. “”Simple carbohydrates have an immediate effect on blood sugar, which directly impacts the concentration“Explains Yaa Boakye.
To limit this effect, it recommends associating them with a source of protein and healthy fats. An ideal example: wholemeal bread with avocado and smoked salmon. These fats and proteins help reduce the impact of simple carbohydrates on the brain. Result: a more stable energy level, and a better maintained concentration.
Salt, hidden enemy of the brain
We often think of sugar, but salt also plays a key role in concentration disorders. Ultra-transformed foods such as instant soups, chips, fries or industrial sandwiches are to be watched closely.
According to Yaa Boakye, excessive consumption of salt can “cause an electrolytic imbalance, leading to brain inflammation which alters memory and short -term concentration“And salt is hidden everywhere: in bread, cheese, sauces, including those called” light “.
To find a better balance, it is better to bet on homemade meals, with a control of the seasoning. The objective is not to ban everything, but to reduce the load of daily sodium which can numb the brain, without even noticing it.
Coffee and sodas: false friends of concentration
It is a well -known reflex: having a coffee or a soda to “boost”. However, these drinks can turn against you. Caffeine, for example, acts on the nervous system with a “U” effect: “A little can improve attention, but too much can cause anxiety and nervousness“, warns the specialist. And not everyone reacts in the same way.
As for sugary drinks, their effect is even more misleading. They “flood the glucose brain“, but this dazzling climb is followed by a collapse of blood sugar, which”makes it even more difficult to maintain concentration“, Underlines the dietitian. The best alternative remains water: dehydration, too, harms mental vigilance.
Intolerances: the intestine is not the only victim
Finally, an often neglected factor: food intolerances. Gluten, lactose or other allergens can cause cerebral fog, especially in sensitive people. “”This triggers an inflammatory response which can result in confusion, memory holes and a loss of concentration“Says Yaa Boakye. Avoiding foods that do not suit you then becomes a necessity as much physical and mental.