Biscuits or toast with butter and jam were until very recently the most common breakfast in Spain. We suddenly realize that all these products are actually harmful to health and we had to rethink breakfasts from scratch. Then appeared avocado toast, cooked oatmeal and other options that we don’t like so much, but which take better care of our health. However, we have missed some breakfasts that seem healthy and are not.
One of them is granola, which is like an evolution of the traditional cereal bowl. It is prepared with a bowl in which they are placed cereals, fresh fruit, seeds, nuts and all this is then mixed with milk, yogurt or kefir. Yes, in theory it can be a very healthy breakfast, but experts point out that many of these granolas found in establishments contain ingredients that significantly deteriorate their nutritional values.
Kamal Wagle, MD, of the Hackensack Meridian Neurosciences Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center, recommends keeping granola consumption to a minimum at breakfast. Because? According to this magazine article ParadeWagle says that “many granola recipes contain ingredients that can cause short- and long-term damage to the brain and general health when consumed regularly. » In practice, what goes into granola isn’t always so healthy.
Healthy appearance
“Although granola seems like a healthy option for breakfast, its high sugar content, caloric density and possible unhealthy fats make it a food to consume in moderation or avoid,” explains the doctor. But where can these unwanted components appear? Sugars come from sweeteners like maple syrup, in the recipes most influenced by the United States, honey or dried fruits. The latter, although it is a fruit, has too high sugar concentrations.
Ultimately, Wagle says these bowls end up being high in sugar, but also high in unhealthy fats and low in fiber. “Even if it’s delicious, a review of the year 2023 from the magazine Nutrients indicated that Long-term excessive sugar consumption may negatively affect cognitive function. “Reducing certain fats, like saturated fat, is crucial for heart and brain function.”
“A meta-analysis published in Nutrition, metabolism and cardiovascular diseases showed that people who consume a high amount of saturated fat had a higher risk of stroke.the Parade article continues. Although granola should theoretically contain whole grains, Wagle explains that it contains a low amount of fiber. The consumption of this nutrient as well as other foods with a probiotic effect is essential for the care of the microbiota.
Wagle cautions that the microbiome has been linked to the nervous system in several studies. “The foods we eat can influence the production of neurotransmitterslike serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and emotions,” Wagle explains. According to this magazine article MicrobiotaPeople who consume less fiber are more likely to suffer cognitive decline in the future. For this reason, the doctor recommends choosing other breakfasts associated with the prevention of cognitive decline: whole oats, natural Greek yogurt with red fruits, eggs or toast with whole wheat and avocado.
“A diet low in ultra-processed foods and added sugars can help prevent blood sugar spikes, which can impair cognitive function. “Chronic inflammation can damage brain cells and contribute to cognitive decline,” says Wagle.
