How the food you eat affects your brain – Mia Nacamulli



View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-the-food-you-eat-affects-your-brain-mia-nacamulli

When it comes to what you bite, chew and swallow, your choices have a direct and long-lasting effect on the most powerful organ in your body: your brain. So which foods cause you to feel so tired after lunch? Or so restless at night? Mia Nacamulli takes you into the brain to find out.

Lesson by Mia Nacamulli, animation by Private Island.

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37 COMMENTS

  1. Wow! I never realized my brain was basically a mix of fats, proteins, and tiny nutrients that I get from food! Eating omega-rich foods, colorful fruits, and a mix of proteins really makes sense now – it literally fuels our mood, focus, and energy. 🍎🥜🐟 This video makes me want to pay attention to what I eat and treat my brain like the powerhouse it is.

  2. I quit sugar, drinks and alcohol(i also don't smoke) and started cooking at home with whole foods like eggs, beans, milk and so on.. I just cannot describe how good I feel after each meal. It feels like someone gave me pills. But I do know how to cook tasty and well. Meals feel like a miracle. Lost lot of weight and saved a bunch of money also…

  3. I used to think that I had Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), a problem that makes you feel depressed when the weather's no good, but then I cut sugar out of my diet (aside from whole fruits) and I realized I do not have S.A.D. Essentially, sugar was negatively affecting my mood… now, I'm pretty much happy all the time, even on gloomy days!

  4. Always be careful of eating too many carbohydrates or foods rich in glycerin as it can spike your blood sugar and then cause it to dip — affecting your mood. Choose legumes, oats, and other substitutes that are healthier for your mind and body. Also, having a wide range of nutrients helps your brain feel nourished and supports your overall health. Disengage from consuming unhealthy fats commonly found in junk food, fast food, and processed food — they lack real nutritional value and you end up craving more, despite it being terrible for you.

  5. Folic acid is synthetic and toxic. Much of the population can’t actually break this down and results in symptoms such as adhd. Folate and folic acid ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE! It’s literally in every boxed and packaged food and pushed in high doses when pregnant. Should make one rethink listening to and trusting the FDA. I hope Kennedy has time in office to address this. So much for profit at the expense of people’s health. Just like adding Florida to the water. Known toxins. If it says fortified …. Assume toxic and put it back on the sheriff. Better choice avoid prepackaged processed foods. Make your own clean organic bread.

  6. Get morning sunlight exposure (10-30 mins within 1 hour of waking, no sunglasses if safe). It sets your circadian rhythm via suprachiasmatic nucleus, boosts serotonin (for mood), increases vitamin D (for bones, immunity, mood), and improves sleep quality later. Low vitamin D links to higher depression, fatigue, and immune issues. Even cloudy days help—step outside or near a window. Combine with a walk for double benefits. This free habit regulates energy, hormones, and mental clarity all day.

  7. Walking 30-60 minutes daily is one of the most powerful, accessible habits for longevity. It boosts cardiovascular health (lowers blood pressure and LDL cholesterol), improves insulin sensitivity to prevent type 2 diabetes, releases endorphins for better mood, and even grows new brain cells in the hippocampus via BDNF. A massive 2024 study of millions found higher aerobic fitness cuts all-cause mortality by 11-17%. You don't need a gym—brisk walking counts! Aim for 7,000-10,000 steps; break it into chunks if busy. Bonus: do it outdoors for vitamin D and nature's stress reduction. Start small and build—consistency beats intensity every time.

  8. Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray reverses opioid overdoses in minutes—and in most US states you can get it over-the-counter with no prescription. If someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, or has pinpoint pupils after taking pills, drugs, or even contaminated stuff: Spray one dose up each nostril, call 911 immediately, and give rescue breaths if you know how. It buys time for paramedics. Keep one in your bag, car, or home. One spray can bring someone back from the brink. This knowledge saves lives daily—pass it on.

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