Are you trying to boost your overall cognitive abilities or your abilities to think and remember things? If so, there are certain foods that you should be including in your diet to keep your brain healthy and boost its power. Read on for information on the Food-Brain Connection.
The Food-Brain Connection
It’s no secret that the foods you eat are the basis for your overall health, which includes the health of your brain. When you eat foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, you are providing the building blocks that both your body and brain need to perform at their best. In fact, your healthy food choices not only help your brain to perform better, but it’s believed that they can also help to prevent inflammation that can cause Alzheimer’s disease and other problems related to cognitive conditions. So, what foods should you be eating for optimal brain health and ability? Let’s find out.
FATTY FISH
Fishes that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are great brain boosters. These include salmon, sardines, mackerel, and albacore tuna. The fatty acids in these fish contain DHA, a major component of brain cells. Research studies have shown that those who consumed one serving of fish three times per week not only increased their DHA levels but also saw a 39% decrease in their risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
VEGETABLES
Eating cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage, also give your brain a major boost. They have great amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which are important for body and brain health. Additionally, broccoli and cauliflower also contain B vitamins, including choline, which has been proven to help with brain development. In fact, some studies conducted on pregnant animals have shown that when choline is included in their diets during pregnancy, it results in increased brain activity of their offspring, even in the womb.
Celery, carrots, and peppers also pack a brain-boosting punch with their high levels of luteolin, which helps to calm and prevent inflammation in the brain and may even help to minimize the risk of memory loss.
CURCUMIN
Found in the spice turmeric and helps to protect the brain from beta amyloids, amino acids that have been found to cause Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin also has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, which controls what enters the brain, and helps to fight off a variety of neurological disorders while also helping to stimulate the brain to produce more cells and increase memory.
WALNUTS
Like fatty fish, walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids. They are also a great source of antioxidants, folate, vitamin E, and melatonin, all of which help the brain to function at its best. So it’s not surprising that some studies have shown that eating walnuts and other foods that are high in antioxidants helps to improve cognitive functions.
Like the rest of your body, your brain relies on the healthy foods you eat to perform at its best. If you want to be sure that you are getting the most out of your brain, make sure to include these beneficial foods in your diet.
By Olive Grand