Dementia: Three 'staple' foods that 'hamper' memory and induce cognitive impairment

This is because they promote inflammation in the body – one of the hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases.

In the cases of Alzheimer’s and dementia, inflammation fuels the build-up of plaque in the brain – contributing to the slow degeneration of cognitive functions.

Popcorn

Microwave popcorn is considered particularly harmful because it contains diacetyl, a chemical that increases amyloid plaque in the brain.

The perils of diacetyl were uncovered in one 2012 study that found that dactyl could intensify damaging effects of protein build-up.