When it comes to maintaining optimal brain health, the beverages we choose to drink play a crucial role. Neuroscientist Dr. Robert Love, known for his informative TikToks, has shared valuable insights into which drinks can either boost or harm our cognitive function. From reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s to improving memory and focus, certain beverages can significantly impact our brain health for the better—while others may have the opposite effect.
Below, we’ll explore Dr. Love’s top picks for brain-boosting drinks like matcha and organic coffee with MCT oil, as well as the ones he advises avoiding, including alcohol and diet sodas. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your mind or protect it from decline, these expert-backed recommendations will help you make the best choices for your brain.
@robertwblove Three Drinks to Fight Dementia. #drinks #dementia #alzheimers #memory #coffee #greentea #matcha #mct #mctoil original sound – Robert Love
Best Beverages for Brain Health
In one video, Dr. Love highlighted a few of the best beverages you can sip on to improve your brain health—and particularly to decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find his top recommendations below.
1. Matcha
"Matcha is like green tea on steroids," Dr. Love proclaims. "Research shows that those who drink green tea three times a week or more have a reduction in their symptoms of dementia, and matcha has 10x the antioxidants of green tea."
Matcha, a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves, offers potent antioxidant benefits. Its high concentration of antioxidants, notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may help protect cells from oxidative stress, a key factor in aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Regular consumption of matcha has been linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of dementia symptoms, making it a powerful addition to a brain-healthy diet. Plus, it could have waist-slimming benefits!
2. Water with Magnesium Drops
"Research shows in Alzheimer’s brains that a deficiency in magnesium is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s diseases and the United States Department of Agriculture reports 7 out of 10 Americans are not eating enough magnesium-rich foods," says Dr. Love. For this reason, he recommends sipping on water with magnesium drops.
Water enriched with magnesium drops serves a dual purpose in brain health. Magnesium deficiency has been implicated as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, affecting processes critical for brain function and health. Ensuring an adequate intake of magnesium through water supplementation helps support cognitive function and may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions. Additionally, staying well-hydrated with water promotes overall health and optimal brain performance.
3. Organic Coffee with MCT Oil
"Drink number three is organic coffee with MCT oil," says Dr. Love. "Coffee is great for the brain. Caffeine helps reduce the accumulation of amyloid plaque. Caffeine improves focus, memory, and attention. The antioxidants in coffee–the polyphenols–are really good for your gut bacteria, and MCT oil is quickly turned into energy by your liver."
Organic coffee, enriched with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, offers a multifaceted approach to brain health. Caffeine in coffee has neuroprotective properties, helping to inhibit the buildup of amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. It enhances cognitive function, including memory, focus, and attention. The polyphenols in coffee act as antioxidants, benefiting gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome. MCT oil, rapidly metabolized into ketones by the liver, provides a quick source of energy to the brain, potentially enhancing cognitive performance and supporting overall brain function.
@robertwblove AVOID These Three Drinks, because they can hurt your brain. #drinks #brain #memory #alzheimers #caffeine #decaf #alcohol #sportsdrinks #aspartame #coffee #greentea #neurogenesis #healthandwellness #robertlove #robertwblove original sound - Robert Love
Worst Beverages for Brain Health
Dr. Love also recently shed light on three popular ‘healthy’ drinks that may actually be detrimental to our brains, offering insights and alternatives to help safeguard cognitive health. Find his insight below.
1. Alcohol such as wine
Dr. Love warns against one beverage that a lot of us would hate to give up: red wine. "I’m really sorry about this one, because I really enjoy it myself–at least I did–it is red wine," he confesses. Although red wine has been praised for its heart health benefits due to its antioxidant content, its effects on the brain are less favorable. "Red wine tastes good and feels good, and there was research to show that it is good for heart health. But, the research on the brain is pretty clear: wine and alcohol in general harms the gut bacteria, harms the liver, and increases inflammation."
In general, alcohol consumption can disrupt gut health, which is closely linked to brain function, and lead to inflammation throughout the body. Moreover, it impairs sleep and memory, two critical factors for maintaining cognitive health. Dr. Love advises moderation for those who choose to drink alcohol: "Try to reduce the amount of wine you drink to one or two nights a week and no more than one or two glasses per night."
2. Sugary drinks like sports drinks
Another common beverage that many health-conscious individuals turn to is sports drinks. However, Dr. Love highlights the hidden dangers these drinks pose: "Sports drinks are either high in sugar or high in artificial sugars, and both of those can be damaging to your brain." High sugar intake is linked to a range of health issues, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, which in turn can affect brain health. Artificial sweeteners, although calorie-free, have been associated with negative effects on cognitive function and gut health.
Instead of sports drinks, Dr. Love recommends hydrating with alternatives that provide electrolytes without the harmful additives. Water and coconut water are excellent choices that can keep you hydrated and healthy without the downsides of high sugar or artificial ingredients.
2. Artificially Sweetened Beverages
If you’re eating in a calorie deficit or trying to manage your blood sugar, artificial sweeteners can be helpful in meeting your goals. But they could have negative effects on your gut health in the long term. According to Dr. Suhail Salem, a gastroenterologist at Dignity Health Northridge Hospital, artificial sweeteners throw off your gut’s balance of enzymes that are necessary to properly digest food. Aside from that, he shared that they can also interfere with satiety signals, which could lead to overeating, and therefore bloating and general digestive discomfort. He recommends swapping your diet sodas and artificially sweetened juices with coconut water. Sweet, refreshing, and rich in electrolytes, it not only keeps you hydrated but boosts your digestive health thanks to natural bioactive enzymes.
