Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers by David Perlmutter

Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers by David Perlmutter is an enlightening book that looks at the dangers of a high carb and sugar diet and how our modern diets have led to a growing number of neurological disorders. Perlmutter offers up a radical new way of thinking about food and makes a very compelling argument that modern diets of processed foods, full of wheat, carbohydrates, and sugar, have far more damaging effects on our brains than previously thought.

Perlmutter starts by providing an overview of the current state of nutrition science and how the focus has been mostly on calories and weight gain, but not on the direct effects of what we eat on the brain. This has led to the pervasiveness of processed foods and sugary drinks, which are quickly digested, providing an immediate boost of energy, but are far from healthy for the body or for the brain.

Perlmutter next takes a look at the science behind why wheat, carbs, and sugar are so damaging to the brain. He examines how the structure of wheat has changed over the years, and how this has led to an increase in metabolic disruptions, inflammation, and neurological disorders. He also looks at the effects of carbohydrate-laden diets on the brain, focusing on how they feed the brain’s “addiction” center and the way that the brain is impacted by high levels of glucose. He ends this section by discussing the negative effects of high sugar consumption on the brain and how it is linked to depression and dementia.

The second part of the book is devoted to what diets are best for the brain, including avoiding wheat, carbs, and sugar. Perlmutter looks at the merits of a high-fat, low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet and explains why it is so effective in restoring optimal brain health. He also examines how a good balance of foods, such as proteins, healthy fats, and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables, can help keep the brain healthy and ward off dementia and other neurological disorders.

In the third section of the book, Perlmutter looks at the consequences of our modern diet and how it has led to an epidemic of neurological disorders, from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to Alzheimer’s. He takes a deep dive into the links between diet and disease, and how changes to our diets can help promote both physical and mental health.

The fourth section examines the power of lifestyle changes to reduce neurological diseases and disorders, such as getting the right amount of sleep, exercising regularly, and decreasing stress. Perlmutter also discusses the potential dangers of supplements and which ones are essential for optimal brain health.

Overall, Grain Brain offers valuable insights into the risks of modern diets and an enlightening perspective on how dietary choices can affect our brains. It is an excellent and eye-opening read for anyone looking to make positive changes to their diet and lifestyle in order to maximize brain health.