Making
sure you eat fresh, local organic produce is also crucial. This will get your
brain functioning at its peak, because these foods are much closer to their
natural state and have a much higher availability of phytonutrients, vitamins
and minerals. Consuming highly processed foods that are filled with numerous
chemicals are not nutritious, and can actually slow the connections and
neuronal firing in your brain.
I
should also mention that drinking plenty of water (at least 2 litres or more a
day) is very important to help the brain function properly and to help you feel
more alert. After all, your water constitutes over 85% of your brain’s weight.
8
Foods that Boost your Brain Power
Berries (blueberries, blackberries,
cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, goji berries, mulberries,
seabuckthorn, golden berries, boysenberries, saskatoons, etc.)
Berries
are a great food for increasing brain power because of their high antioxidant content.
They have been shown to prevent nerve-related degeneration and decline in both
cognitive and motor function because they reduce inflammation and improve
neuronal cell longevity. The polyphenolic compounds in berries also protect
against neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as well
as depression.
Asparagus (and other foods rich in folic
acid like okra, spinach, collards, sunflower seeds, romaine lettuce and beans)
Why
are foods that are high in folic acid great for the brain? This vitamin has
been found to improve memory and cognition in healthy adults aged 50-70 years
old. Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin which improves cognitive
functioning, especially with respect to memory and information processing
speed. Consuming foods rich in folic acid like asparagus and spinach will help
your brain tremendously!
Avocados
Avocados
are a great healthy fat to include in your diet and they are high in vitamin E.
They contain essential fatty acids which are necessary for maximum brain power
as well as supporting proper brain growth and development. Omega fatty acids
help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and help boost your
memory and ability to learn new things!
Carrots (and other foods rich in beta
carotene and vitamin C like mangos, oranges, broccoli, tomato, cantaloupe,
peppers, and rainbow chard)
Beta
carotene rich foods may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Beta carotene is
an antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress in the brain which normally damages
brain cells leading to rapid brain aging and associated cognitive decline. In
studies with groups of individuals taking beta carotene and comparing them to
controls (no beta carotene), it was found that the brain was able to function
much more efficiently, particularly with respect to verbal memory.
Hemp
Seeds (and
other healthy nuts & seeds like chia seeds, walnuts, almonds, pistachios,
cashews, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds)
Hemp
seeds are high in omega fatty acids which are anti-inflammatory and help
protect the nervous system. How do they do this? To put it simply, they “feed”
and repair the myelin sheaths that protect our nerves, which if not protected,
can lead to serious health issues like multiple sclerosis (a disease caused by
myelin sheath damage). Omega fatty acids in hemp seeds and other nuts and seeds
also help lift depression and those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and can
reduce the harmful effects of chronic stress.
Dark
Green Leafy Vegetables (think
collards, kale, swiss card, beet greens, green & red leaf lettuce,
dandelion greens, and dark green herbs like basil, mint, parsley, cilantro,
dill, arugula, and watercress)
Dark
leafy green vegetables are known for their ability to keep the brain sharp
through aging. These greens are rich in folate (a B vitamin, as mentioned
earlier) and can protect against cognitive decline in older adults. Folate
helps reduce blood levels of homocysteine (a blood marker of cardiovascular
disease), which when high, have been linked to lower cognitive test scores.
Leafy green vegetables are also very mineral and vitamin dense, which help keep
our brain sharp, and our thoughts clearer.
Bananas
Bananas
are a great brain food. For one, they help lift depression due to their high
tryptophan content (a protein that the body converts into serotonin), which
helps you relax and improve mood. Secondly, they are remarkably high in
potassium (same with medjool dates!) which is a mineral that helps send oxygen
to the brain and thus makes you feel more alert. They are also rich in B
vitamins which are very important in calming the nervous system and protecting
the myelin sheath around our nerves.
Watermelon (and other water rich foods
like melon, zucchini, cucumbers and celery)
Ensuring
you stay hydrated is a great way to keep your memory sharp, moods balanced and
motivation strong. If you are dehydrated (which more than 95% of the population
normally is), you reduce oxygen flow to the brain and could temporarily shrink
neurons. Consuming water rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers and celery will
prevent this from happening and can help you focus better on the tasks at hand.
Source : Live Love Fruit
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