One frightening processed food is far more detrimental to your brain than you may have imagined.

I cut out more things from my diet as I become older.

If you have followed my writing for any length of time, you are aware that I permanently stopped drinking at the age of 41.

I resigned mostly because I was fed up with squandering my ability and disappointed myself. I would slip into zombie mode on the sofa every night, and I would wake up after a horrible night's sleep feeling drained and irritable every morning.

But it was also beginning to wear me down, and my body was telling me clearly that if I did not alter my direction, I was going to wind up in a bad place.

I have reduced my intake of almost anything that is not very simple to digest.

I may eat red meat once or twice a month, but that means it is very much gone.

Dairy is the newest, and it really messes with my gut.

I decided that night to avoid milk at all costs after having a very restless night's sleep previous week due to my body's inability to digest the massive bowl of cereal I had just before bed (I know, TMI).

Giving up alcohol was perhaps the greatest favor I could have done for my lifespan and mental well-being, particularly in terms of brain function.

And the best food you can give your gray matter is blueberries, which are a daily mainstay of my diet.

If your brain is not developed enough to appreciate life, what good is it to live a long life?

However, there is another item that is sadly a mainstay of the average American diet that we already kind of know is terrible for our brains.

Furthermore, recent studies indicate that it is even worse for humans than previously believed.

The harmful diets of Americans

Between 25% and 33% of Americans eat at fast food restaurants daily, according to a recent article I read that included this startling data.

Given recent studies demonstrating the detrimental effects of several types of fast food on the brain, that figure from the National Institutes of Health is all the more alarming.

Now, hopefully, no one would argue that fried chicken and french fries are healthy.

Not many of us are aware that they may cause dementia, even though we all know they are bad on the heart and can cause certain types of cancer.

The manner the meal is cooked is more of an issue than the food itself.

Because warmed deep fryer oil seems to be the only thing worse than deep fryer oil.

Ask the rats.

Carcinogens in, nutrients out

Rats were given both unheated and warmed sesame and sunflower oil in an experiment conducted by researchers from the University of Chicago and Central University of Tamil Nadu in India.

The purpose of the reheated oils was to mimic the kind of repurposed frying oil often seen in fast food restaurants.

For what reason would eateries reheat used oils?

Simply put: inexpensive!

The issue is that doing so can also cause your head to explode.

Newsweek explained the results as follows:

"Reusing frying oil is common among restaurants and food sellers due to the quantity of oil used in this operation (and to avoid food waste)." New study, however, indicates that doing so may raise the oil's concentration of dangerous substances like acrylamide, trans fat, and peroxides in addition to eliminating many of its natural antioxidants and health advantages.

"These dangerous substances may raise our chance of neurodegeneration in addition to increasing our risk of metabolic diseases and a number of malignancies."

Steer clear of oils

I try to stay away from deep-fried items completely, with the exception of occasional slip-ups (usually when I am traveling).

I would want to claim that it is because I treat my body like a temple and prepare it for optimal performance, but the reality is much more selfish: I do not want to gain weight.

And it is becoming more difficult for me as I approach my mid-40s.

I used to be able to lose weight by eating like a garbage compactor.

After a day or two of slippage, I have noticed.

Therefore, for me, it is ultimately about physical fitness.

However, being aware that I am also maintaining my mental acuity?

That is a beautiful icing on the cake, too.