Eating well is important for your mental and physical health. The brain requires nutrients just like your muscles, heart or lungs do.
But did you know which foods are particularly important to keep your brain healthy? Let’s find out.
Foods to Boost Your Memory and Brainpower
Blueberries
Evidence that are gathered at Tufts University in the United States suggests that eating blueberries may be effective in delaying or improving short term memory loss.
Blueberries are widely available, but you can also look out for purple and dark red fruits and vegetables which contain the same protective compounds called anthocyanins.
Broccoli
Broccoli is good source of vitamin K, which is known to improve brainpower and enhance cognitive function. Studies have reported that because broccolis are high in compounds called glucosinolates, it can slow the breakdown of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine are needed by the central nervous system to perform properly and to keep your brains and your memories sharp. Low levels of acetylcholine are linked with Alzheimer’s.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is known to be one of the most versatile and good for you foods available. When it comes to your brain, it is full of benefits, as well.
Coconut oil works as a natural anti-inflammatory, by suppressing cells responsible for inflammation. It can help with memory loss as you grow older and destroy the bad bacteria that hangs out in your gut.
Carrots
Carrots are known to be good for the eyes and are good for the brain as well. Carrots have high levels of a compound called luteolin, which could reduce age-related memory deficits and inflammation in the brain, that is according to a study published in 2010 in the journal Nutrition.
In the study, mice whose daily diet was added with 20 milligrams of luteolin had reduced inflammation in their brains. The researchers said the compound also restored the mice’s memory to the level of younger mice’s.
Eggs
Egg yolks are rich in choline, a B vitamin-like nutrient. When you consume eggs, your brain uses choline to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that may be important for communication among brain cells and maintaining memory.
Boston University researchers tracked the consumption habits of around 1,400 healthy adults for 10 years and found that choline intake are linked positively with better performance on certain types of memory tests.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc than many other seeds. Pumpkin seeds supply this valuable mineral zinc, which is essential for enhancing thinking and memory skills.
These little seeds are loaded with stress-busting B vitamins, magnesium and tryptophan, the precursor to the good mood chemical serotonin.
Salmon
Salmon is one of the most nutritious and brain food-friendly foods. It is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids to help improve your memory and keep your brain running smoothly. Feeding your kids salmon, can help prevent ADHD by improving their focus.
Walnuts
Did you know that eating walnuts can improve your cognitive health. Walnut’s high levels of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals also improve mental alertness. Also, the vitamin E in the nuts can also help fight off Alzheimer’s.
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