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  2. Developing diets to improve cognitive abilities

Developing diets to improve cognitive abilities

Claim

The human is a biochemical factory. An input (food and drink) into the human factory affects it, however subtle. Each system of the human body, such as the neurological system, requires a certain amount and quality of input in order to be maintained or to grow, and will respond accordingly should the input fall short of, meet, or exceed its input requirements. It is quite possible that when there is noticeable cognitive improvement after consumption, it is because the input had eliminated a significant nutritional deficit for some or other chemical in the neurological system. Studies have reported that vitamin supplements can improve children's intelligence. In Europe and the US, Down's Syndrome children's intellectual development is allegedly boosted by giving them huge doses of vitamins and dietary supplements.

Counter-claim

There is insufficient or no evidence to suggest that, for people with normal health, any food acts as a cognitive enhancer. Vitamin supplements, so called smart drugs and smart nutrients, and related studies that claim they boost intelligence are all unfounded for lack of sufficient evidence. Studies have simply proved inconclusive. It should be noted that, children who have a poor diet often also lack intellectually stimulating environments (intelligence and environmental conditions). Intelligence is like a muscle, you can use it or lose it, but there is no anabolic steroid equivalent in the IQ community. What really happens is a kind of placebo effect: you really believe you will become more intelligent, and your belief will inspire you. What is clear, is that a lot of money is being made out of the claim.

Broader

Facilitates

Value

Disability
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SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #1: No PovertySustainable Development Goal #2: Zero HungerSustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-beingSustainable Development Goal #4: Quality EducationSustainable Development Goal #5: Gender EqualitySustainable Development Goal #6: Clean Water and SanitationSustainable Development Goal #7: Affordable and Clean EnergySustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthSustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSustainable Development Goal #10: Reduced InequalitySustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSustainable Development Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionSustainable Development Goal #13: Climate ActionSustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below WaterSustainable Development Goal #15: Life on LandSustainable Development Goal #16: Peace and Justice Strong InstitutionsSustainable Development Goal #17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

Metadata

Database
Global strategies
Type
(G) Very specific strategies
Subject
  • Health care » Nutrition
  • Education » Educational level
  • Psychology » Psychology
  • Development » Development
  • Content quality
    Yet to rate
     Yet to rate
    Language
    English
    Last update
    Dec 3, 2024