Did you know your favorite soda could actually be good for you? While most sodas are full of sugar and empty calories, the makers of BrainPOP soda have added key nutrients to support brain health. This post will explore the science behind two of the secret ingredients in BrainPOP - magnesium citrate and vitamin D3. You'll learn exactly what these supplements do, why they're so important, and how they work together to boost your mind. Who knew a soda could be so smart? Keep reading to unlock the brain-boosting potential of BrainPOP's specially formulated recipe.
What is Magnesium Citrate?
First up - magnesium citrate. This is one of the most highly absorbable forms of magnesium, an essential dietary mineral. Magnesium plays a role in over 300 different enzymatic reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function, keeps the heart rhythm steady, and supports a healthy immune system. Magnesium also helps regulate mood, aids sleep, and relieves stress. It's easy to see why this mineral is so important!
Specifically, magnesium supports healthy GABA activity in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that promotes feelings of calm and relaxation. By aiding the activity of GABA, magnesium can soothe anxiety and nervous tension. According to research from the University of North Carolina, up to 68% of Americans do not consume adequate magnesium.
Magnesium also helps quiet activity in parts of the brain responsible for the "fight or flight" stress response. With this nerve-calming effect, magnesium helps relax muscles for restful sleep. Deficiency can cause sleeplessness and muscle cramping.
How Much Magnesium Citrate Do You Need?
The recommended dietary allowance for magnesium is 310-320 mg per day for women over 30 and 400-420 mg daily for men. Higher doses up to 350 mg are considered safe via supplements or fortified foods like BrainPOP.
Magnesium requirements can vary based on age, medication use, digestive conditions, and other factors. Levels decline with age due to reduced absorption, so those over 70 may benefit from extra magnesium. Certain drugs like diuretics and proton pump inhibitors can also deplete magnesium stores.
Signs of deficiency include muscle cramps, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and fatigue. People with gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and alcohol dependence are also at higher risk. Consuming a balanced diet with leafy greens, legumes, nuts, and whole grains can help meet your daily needs in addition to BrainPOP.
So why add magnesium citrate instead of another form? Magnesium citrate has a few key advantages:
It has a neutral taste and mixes easily into drinks. Other forms of magnesium can have a strong mineral flavor.
It has high bioavailability, meaning it's readily absorbed by the body. Magnesium citrate is absorbed more completely than magnesium oxide or sulfate.
It's gentle on the stomach. Some magnesium supplements can cause digestive side effects like diarrhea, but magnesium citrate is less likely to cause GI issues.
In addition to getting magnesium from BrainPOP, you can boost your levels by eating magnesium-rich foods like spinach, avocado, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and salmon. For example, an ounce of almonds contains 80mg magnesium while a cup of cooked spinach provides 157mg, over a third of the daily requirement. But the convenient magnesium citrate in BrainPOP makes it easy to top up your levels on the go.
The Benefits of Vitamin D3
Now, on to vitamin D3 - the sunshine vitamin! Known as cholecalciferol, vitamin D3 is produced in the skin when exposed to sufficient sunlight. It's also found naturally in foods like fatty fish, fish liver oils, and egg yolks. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and is vital for bone health. But did you know it has many other roles too?
Vitamin D acts as an immune system modulator, helping regulate the body's defense against bacteria and viruses. Studies show vitamin D supplementation can reduce risk of contracting upper respiratory infections and flu. It supports neuromuscular function, cognition, and mood. Specifically, vitamin D receptors are located throughout the brain and it is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis. It influences production of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine - key chemicals that regulate mood and cognition.
One meta-analysis found that vitamin D supplementation improved attention, reasoning, and problem solving in healthy adults. Research shows vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired learning, memory, and information processing speed, while sufficient levels help optimize cognitive function. Vitamin D activates genes that protect brain cells by clearing amyloid beta proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. No wonder BrainPOP contains a healthy dose!
How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 600 IU (15 mcg) for most adults up to age 70. This meets the need for 97.5% of people. Some groups may require more - 800 IU per day is advised for those over 70.
Higher doses of 1500-2000 IU daily are sometimes suggested for people with obesity, malabsorption issues like celiac disease, or very limited sun exposure. Doses over 2000 IU should only be taken with medical supervision due to potential toxicity risk.
While the upper limit is set at 4000 IU for adults, research suggests the safe upper limit may be closer to 10,000 IU per day. But more does not necessarily mean better - megadoses without medical reason can cause harm. Moderation is key, which is why BrainPOP contains a prudent 125 IU per can.
Factors like age, latitude, skin pigmentation, and sunscreen use affect how much vitamin D you need from food and supplements. Those with dark skin produce it less efficiently. Deficiency is more common in northern regions far from the equator. Get your levels tested if you are unsure whether you need supplementation.
The Synergistic Effects of Magnesium and Vitamin D
Now, here's a cool fact about BrainPOP's formula. The magnesium citrate and vitamin D3 don't just work independently - they enhance each other's effects! Here's how:
Magnesium assists in vitamin D activation by enabling renal hydroxylation, the conversion of vitamin D into the active form that benefits bones and teeth. At the cellular level, magnesium acts as a cofactor in the binding of vitamin D to vitamin D-binding protein for transport within the body. It also helps regulate the activity of calcium and magnesium channels that control mineral homeostasis in cells.
In return, vitamin D influences how the body utilizes magnesium at the cellular level. It regulates the activity of calcium and magnesium channels that control mineral homeostasis in cells. The two work together to maintain optimal levels.
For example, a clinical trial found the bone strengthening benefits of vitamin D and magnesium were greater when taken together than either supplement alone. The anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D and magnesium can benefit conditions like arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Together, these two supplements help strengthen bones, prevent mood disorders, reduce inflammation, and support brain health in ways a single nutrient couldn't achieve alone. It's a synergistic one-two punch for better health!
Are These Supplements Safe?
With proper dosing, magnesium citrate and vitamin D3 are considered very safe for most healthy adults. However, extremely high amounts of either can potentially cause adverse effects. Here are some key precautions and safety considerations:
Magnesium citrate may cause diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal cramping if taken in excess. The Tolerable Upper Limit is set at 350mg per day. Consuming above this level long-term can lead to low blood pressure and cardiac issues.
Anyone with kidney disease, a magnesium-restricted diet, or taking medications that interact with magnesium should consult a doctor before using BrainPOP. Magnesium can accumulate to toxic levels in those with impaired kidney function.
While vitamin D toxicity is rare, it can occur from taking over 10,000 IU per day for many months. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and heart rhythm issues. BrainPOP contains 125IU vitamin D3, well within the safe range.
Vitamin D is fat soluble, so high levels may build up over time. Those with conditions affecting fat absorption like Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, or celiac should use caution with vitamin D supplements.
Individuals with digestive issues like IBS or acid reflux may experience stomach discomfort from magnesium citrate. It's wise to introduce BrainPOP slowly to gauge tolerance.
Of course, BrainPOP should be avoided by those with caffeine sensitivity, diabetics, and people taking certain medications. As with any supplement, it’s recommended to run ingredients by your physician if you have any health concerns.
How Much Magnesium and Vitamin D is in BrainPOP?
BrainPOP's formulas are meticulously developed to provide effective levels of magnesium and vitamin D3. Each 12 oz can contains:
50mg of magnesium in the form of magnesium citrate. This equates to approximately 12% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults.
125IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). This equals around 20% of the 600IU daily target for adults up to age 70.
These amounts are substantial enough to help fill common nutrient gaps, without packing in excessive amounts that can pose risks. The typical Western diet provides less than 30% of the RDA for magnesium and many people do not get adequate sun exposure for natural vitamin D synthesis.
BrainPOP strikes a perfect balance - just enough supplemental nutrition to benefit the brain, bones, mood, immunity and energy levels. The quantities are well-tolerated by most healthy individuals when consumed according to serving guidelines.
Of course, the RDA is the average daily level to meet needs. Those with deficiencies may benefit from higher therapeutic doses under medical supervision. But for general health and wellness, BrainPOP's prudent formulation supplies optimal levels of magnesium citrate and vitamin D3.
Bringing Balance to the Beverage Aisle
In recent years, the public has grown more aware of the perils of consuming too many empty calories from sugary sodas. But the quest for healthy alternatives has faced difficulties. Many beverages branded as "natural" or "low calorie" still contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other problematic ingredients. They may not nourish the body - just quench thirst. Sports drinks boast electrolytes but are loaded with processed additives. And while plain water is healthy, it lacks flavor.
BrainPOP offers the best of all worlds. It delights the senses with a refreshing fruity taste using wholesome juices. Yet it skips the high fructose corn syrup, artificial chemicals, and excessive caffeine you'll find in conventional sodas. The addition of magnesium and vitamin D provides functional nutrition to support mind and body. For consumers seeking a flavorful, guilt-free, good-for-you beverage, BrainPOP is the clear smart choice!
The Takeaway
Hopefully you now appreciate the thought and science behind BrainPOP's uniquely nutritious formula. This fizzy drink takes an old-school favorite like cola to the next level by incorporating soluble magnesium and bioavailable vitamin D3. These supplements work together to nourish body and brain.
Of course, no soft drink can replace a healthy balanced diet. But when you're looking for a flavorful pick-me-up, reach for BrainPOP over other conventional sodas. With its light, fruity taste and smart nutritional profile, it's a refreshing way to hydrate, satisfy your sweet tooth AND nourish your mind.
So next time you're browsing the drinks aisle, make the savvy choice for your health. Pick up a pack of BrainPOP and let the brain-boosting benefits begin!