Believe it or not, the foods we consume have a big impact on the way our brains function. If you're eating a nutrient-deplete diet full of processed junk, your brain may not be working optimally. Your neurological health may be negatively impacted. Added sugars, chemicals and food preservatives all have a negative impact on neurological health.
There have been cases where picky eaters who only ate junk and avoided nutrient-dense foods suffered negative neurological consequences. One teenage boy in the United Kingdom even went blind by consuming such a nutrient-deplete diet (source). Not only that, but he was impacted in many more ways, which included fatigue, brain fog, and various vitamin deficiencies that led to him losing his vision in the first place.
As a teacher of kids with mild-moderate learning disabilities, I often wonder how much of their disability is caused, in part, by the kinds of food they consume. After all, a diet full of junk ingredients will produce junk learning in the classroom. To increase cognitive performance and improve neurological health, make sure you consume a nutrient-dense diet full of essential vitamins and minerals. If you cannot do that, then work with a skilled practitioner to find specific supplements that are right for you.
One of the best things you can do to strengthen neurological health is to consume "brain foods". These are foods that have been shown to improve neurological health. Fatty fish full of omega-3s, such as salmon, are a good option. Walnuts and flax seeds are decent plant-based options.
It's also important to get enough B vitamins. They're important for brain and nerve health. Grass-fed and pasture raised meat and poultry are great sources of B vitamins. This is why I don't recommend a vegan diet unless you are sure you know what you're doing and you do it right. A lot of people who avoid animal products miss out on B vitamins, which are so important for nerve health.
Leafy greens and sea vegetables from organic sources are also great foods for neurological health. Leafy greens have been shown to reduce the risk of an eye disease called macular degeneration. The teen boy who lost his vision must not have been eating any salad. Make sure you're getting in a few servings of leafy greens each week for improved neurological health. Sea vegetables are also a great food to consume because they're a rich source of magnesium and iodine.
One food you should consider cutting back on or giving up altogether is refined sugar. Sugar has been shown to negatively impact neurological health. Alcohol is another thing that is best avoided if you want to improve cognitive performance and neurological health.
Remember that the foods you consume play a huge role in the way you feel. So if you're experiencing fatigue, brain fog, and other neurological problems, rethink what you're eating. Your tastebuds may not want to consume vegetables right away, but give it time. Keep trying them and eventually your palate will learn to accept them.