Avocados, berries, and dark chocolate (score!) do the head good. But for every brain food out there, there's another food that's ready to sap your smarts. We knew that junk food changes our waistlines, but did you also know that it has been shown to also negatively affect our memory and cognition?

How the foods we eat affects how we feel

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and appetite, mediate moods, and inhibit pain. Since about 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, and your gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, or neurons, it makes sense that the inner workings of your digestive system don’t just help you digest food, but also guide your emotions. So while there are delicious foods that are packed with head-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, junk foods are ready to bring your brain and body down. Here are a few to consider avoiding.

Four foods to ditch

Sugary drinks

A high intake of sugary drinks may increase the risk of dementia. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may be especially harmful, causing brain inflammation and impairing memory and learning.

Refined carbs

A high intake of refined carbs with a high glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) may impair memory and intelligence, as well as increase the risk of dementia. These include sugars and highly processed grains like white flour.

Trans fats

While trans fats occur naturally in animal products like meat and dairy, these are not a major concern. It’s industrially produced trans fats, also known as hydrogenated vegetable oils, that are a problem. Trans fats may be associated with impaired memory and the risk of Alzheimer's, but the evidence is mixed. Cutting out trans fats completely and increasing the unsaturated fats in your diet may be a good strategy.

Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in many soft drinks and sugar-free products. It has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems.

Simple steps for a healthier brain

Start paying attention to how eating different foods makes you feel — not just in the moment, but the next day. Try eating a “clean” diet for two to three weeks — that means cutting out all processed foods and sugar. Try replacing the heavily processed foods with fresh fruits and veggies, which have inflammation fighting antioxidants including polyphenols and vitamin E. Oily fish and avocados are great sources of omega-3 fatty acid which boosts neurogenesis. A healthy gut has been strongly linked to diminishing feelings of depression and anxiety. Probiotic-heavy foods like yogurt and Orgain Superfoods powder are great ways to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Early studies are also linking collagen supplements to improving gut health. Want to take brain health to the next level? Aerobic exercise not only helps us lose weight and also boosts neuroplasticity in the brain. So by taking steps to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle we are keeping both our body and brains in good shape. Photo by Thomas Kelley

New Arrivals

Supreme Greens

Lemon Twist

Clean, Green and Supreme!

Supreme Greens is crafted with 25 organic greens, 50 superfoods, 1 billion CFU probiotics* and adaptogens. It’s a refreshing lemon twist flavored, gut-fortifying, immune health-supporting powerhouse**.

50 Superfoods
Certified Plant Based

$39.99

Plant Protein Plus Collagen

Chocolate

Grass-Fed Collagen
High Protein

$49.99

Plant Protein Plus Collagen

Vanilla

Grass-Fed Protein
High Protein

$49.99

Better Whey Protein Powder

Creamy Chocolate Fudge

Better For You. Better For The Planet Too.

This Lactose-Free Fermented Whey Isolate is made with 21g* of sustainable protein offering the high-quality nutrition of whey protein, but lactose-free, easier to digest**, and 10x more sustainable***. 

Lactose-free
Exclusive

$29.99

Kids Super Vitamin Gummy

Mixed Berry

USDA Organic
50 Superfoods

$29.99

Kids Protein Organic Nutrition Shake

Fruity Cereal

Grass-Fed Protein
USDA Organic

$29.99

Organic Protein™ Plant Based Protein Powder

Fruity Cereal

USDA Organic
Vegan

$26.99

Kids Protein Nutrition Shake Mix

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Meal Replacement

$24.99

Kids Protein Nutrition Shake Mix

Chocolate Brownie

Meal Replacement

$24.99

Organic Protein™ Plant Based Protein Powder

Churro Caramel Swirl

USDA Organic
Vegan

$26.99

Organic Protein™ Plant Based Protein Powder

Cookies 'n Cream

USDA Organic
Vegan

$37.99

Organic Protein™ Plant Based Protein Powder

Horchata

USDA Organic
Vegan

$37.99

StressLess

Vegan
No Soy Ingredients

$35.99

Orgain Wonder Gut, Kids Nutrition Shake Mix and Kids vitamin gummies

Orgain expands portfolio with new Gut Health Powder and Kid Offerings

March 07, 2024

Orgain, the #1 Plant Protein Powder Brand in the US*, returns to Expo West, unveiling its latest and tastiest in good clean nutrition including its 5-in-1 greens powder, kids sugar...

ORGAIN ISSUES ALLERGY ALERT ON UNDECLARED SESAME IN ORGANIC PLANT PROTEIN + SUPERFOODS POWDER, CREAMY CHOCOLATE FUDGE SOLD IN COSTCO WAREHOUSE STORES

October 04, 2023

Orgain LLC of Irvine, CA is voluntarily recalling a limited production run of its Organic Protein Powder + Superfoods, Creamy Chocolate Fudge flavor, because it may contain an undeclared sesame...

kids in a classroom and one of them is blurred out

Orgain’s Food for Focus Highlights Issue Impacting School-Age Kids & Helps Bring Nutritious Meals to Schools

August 01, 2023

Food For Focus is a new campaign designed to raise awareness of the crucial role nutrition plays in the lives of young people. Published research has shown that students who have...

B A Force for Good: Orgain Earns B Corp™ Certification

March 15, 2023

We’re proud to announce that Orgain has earned its B Corp™ certification, joining a growing movement of like-minded businesses balancing purpose and profit to positively impact the planet and the...

Green Background Swoosh vector image for desktop screens

Refine

How the foods we eat affects how we feel

Four foods to ditch

Sugary drinks

Refined carbs

Trans fats

Aspartame

Simple steps for a healthier brain

New Arrivals

Better For You. Better For The Planet Too.

Related Articles