317: Cutting-Edge Strategies to Boost Brain Health and Improve Cognitive Function | Max Lugavere

Processed Foods

Max Lugavere, a science journalist, highlights the detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods on health. He explains that these foods are characterized by their nutrient depletion and hyper-palatability, which can lead to overconsumption and contribute to chronic diseases. Max shares a personal story about his mother's battle with dementia, which fueled his interest in understanding the impact of modern diets on brain health 1 2.

Ultra-processed foods are foods that essentially you couldn't make in your own kitchen if you wanted to, right? They require huge plants to manufacture.

--- Max Lugavere

He emphasizes that the prevalence of these foods in our diets is alarming, with 73% of the food supply being ultra-processed, leading to significant health concerns 2.

   

Meal Timing

Max also explores the importance of meal timing and its effects on metabolism and cognitive function. He notes that eating late at night can disrupt our body's natural circadian rhythms, leading to increased hunger and reduced energy expenditure the following day 3.

When you eat does matter. And so here is research showing that eating late at night, so out of the sort of, you know, schedule of our normal meal consistency, that we have increased hunger, the next day we see a reduction in our resting energy expenditure.

--- Max Lugavere

Max advocates for aligning meal times with our diurnal nature, suggesting that eating during the day supports better health outcomes and cognitive performance 3.