Doctor, I want to ask if I can eat animal brains regularly (like pig brains) to improve my memory. What should I pay attention to? (Thuy Dung, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

The brain is a very important organ in the body, although it only accounts for 2% of the body's weight, it requires 20% of the body's total energy and oxygen needs. For this organ to function healthily, flexibly, and optimally, it needs to be provided with adequate nutrients.

Folklore often holds the notion that "what you eat is what you are" and the most common is that eating animal brains such as pig brains helps nourish the brain and enhance memory. According to the Vietnamese food composition table published in 2007, 100 grams of pig brain contains 9 grams of protein, 9.5 grams of fat (lipid), 7 mg of calcium, 0.3 grams of phosphorus, 1.6 mg of iron and about 2,200-2,500 mg of cholesterol. Pig brain is one of the animal organs with the most cholesterol and is unbalanced in nutritional composition compared to other foods such as low protein content, low iron... Meanwhile, according to the recommended nutritional needs for Vietnamese people, each person should only provide less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day.

Eating a lot of pig brains provides the body with cholesterol beyond its needs. This is not necessarily good for memory, but on the contrary, it can be harmful to health, especially cardiovascular health. In the long term, eating a lot of pig brains can lead to the risk of being overweight, obesity, atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism disorders, hyperuricemia, iron deficiency anemia, etc.

Adults can eat pig brain but in small, moderate amounts, occasionally once every 1-2 weeks. Besides, you need to provide a variety and balance of nutrients from other foods such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, milk for good health.

For better memory, you can add nuts, foods rich in good fats such as omega-3, essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants from green vegetables, ripe fruits... These foods help optimize nutrients for the brain, enhance and maintain memory and brain activity. They also bring health benefits to the whole body.

If you suspect that your memory is showing signs of abnormal decline, you should visit a neurologist for examination and appropriate advice and treatment.

Doctor Tran Thi Tra Phuong
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System