Explaining the relationship between a healthy, balanced lifestyle and brain health, Specialist Dietitian Banu Topalakçı Salman said:
“By starving ourselves, surrounding ourselves with prohibitions, or spending 3–4 hours a day in gyms, we can neither be happy nor successful. What makes anything beneficial or harmful to health is its dose.”
Emphasizing the connection between balanced and adequate nutrition and brain health, Salman noted that a small amount of caffeine — such as from tea, coffee, or cola — does not harm human health. She added: “Physical activity is also beneficial for brain health and for a person’s happiness.”
Salman stated that adopting a healthy and balanced lifestyle throughout one’s lifetime is one of the things most people desire the most:
“In fact, we all know very well what healthy lifestyle choices are, the importance of healthy eating, the significance of exercise, the need to quit smoking, and the necessity of weight control. However, there is a big difference between knowing all these things and taking action, applying them, and turning them into a lifestyle. Making positive lifestyle changes is not easy. Making those changes permanent is even harder. If it were easy, we wouldn’t be seeing such a constant rise in fad diets, gym memberships, personal development experts, life coaches, and media attention on the subject.”
CAFFEINE IN MODERATION HELPS THE BRAIN STAY ALERT
Salman pointed out that any positive lifestyle change is easier and more sustainable when the individual feels comfortable and safe:
“The fact that a person’s choices make them happy is the most important step that brings success. By starving ourselves, surrounding ourselves with prohibitions, or spending 3–4 hours a day in gyms, we can neither be happy nor successful. What makes anything beneficial or harmful to health is its dose. In the context of the relationship between balanced nutrition and brain health, we can mention the benefits of caffeine.”
She explained that consuming caffeine during the day through moderate amounts of tea, coffee, or cola stimulates the brain thanks to its alertness-enhancing effect. Salman stressed that when not consumed excessively, caffeine can help people feel more energetic and does not harm human health.
She also highlighted the role of physical activity on brain and overall health:
“Physical activity is extremely important for general health, brain health, and also for an individual’s happiness. During physical activity, the brain releases endorphins. In other words, physical activity positively affects brain functions.”