Is the Modern Diet Changing Our Brains?

Life can get busy, so nutrition doesn’t always take a front seat. But have you thought about how what you eat impacts your brain? The nutrients you deliver to your brain can change everything about how you feel: your energy levels, motivation, mood, and more.

This is bigger than just avoiding junk food – let’s dive in.

The Hidden Dangers in Our Modern Diet

Modern diets are now loaded with sugar and refined carbs. Of course, excess of these low-value food sources leads to energy crashes and may influence brain function.

Soil Depletion: Your Food Isn't as Healthy as It Used to Be

It's not only a matter of what we eat, but also where our food is coming from. Modern preservatives and farming practices have depleted the nutrients in most soil. This means our vegetables and fruits may not be as nutritious as they used to be.

The essential nutrients – like vitamins and minerals – are less present in our food supply. So when you go to the store and stock up on groceries, you’re getting less nutrients from your food than years ago.

One study, highlighted by Chris Kresser in an article about soil depletion, details how modern farming methods strip the soil of vital minerals such as magnesium and zinc-nutrients highly responsible for brain health.

Fat is Your Friend (The Good Kind)

For years, fat was the villain. Now we realize that healthy fats — naturally present in avocado, olive oil, and nuts — are vital to brain health. The fatty acids are instrumental in building myelin sheaths, supporting the neurons in your brain and facilitating brain-cell communication.

As you can see, there are many misconceptions about our diets. And there is a lack of understanding about what to eat and what not to eat. Overall, if you can feed the brain healthier, natural nutrients, you’ll be better off. 

The Key Nutrients for Cognition

Healthy Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and more support brain function.* This is because Omega-3 fatty acids are integral components of the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes, helping maintain their flexibility and fluidity.* This supports proper cell signaling and the function of receptors on cell surfaces.*

Antioxidants

Foods high in antioxidants like berries and dark chocolate fight the natural process of oxidative stress in the brain, keeping your cognition firing on cylinders. * 

B Vitamins

Folate, B6, and B12 play a role in supporting neurotransmitter function. These overlooked nutrients may support brain cells, normal memory function, and more.*

But this is the problem: our modern diets don’t deliver all these essential nutrients anymore.

What If Food Isn’t Enough?

It's difficult to know if you're getting what your brain needs through food alone. As the soil is depleted of nutrients, and refined ingredients appear on every nutrition label, what should you do? The answer: Use supplementation to fill in the gaps.

Natural Stacks offers formulas designed to support optimal brain function.* These science-backed supplements can help you build a better brain – while continuing to eat as healthy as possible.*