What Food is Good for the
Brain?
It has happened to all of us at one
time or another; You draw a complete blank when introducing a casual
acquaintance. You forget a doctor's appointment, a birthday, an
anniversary. Oh - and let's not forget the all-too-often search for
car keys.
Memory decline is a common complaint in the process of age
and brain function. To keep your brain operating at maximum
capacity when you are young - and especially as you age - you
must consume the best natural brain food possible.
What food is good for the brain? Would you like to slow down the hands of time and boost your
brain's ability to retain and recall information? Grab a handful
of blueberries (a top natural brain food) and read on.
The "You are what you eat" adage most definitely applies to
mental function and diet is one of the top natural
ADHD remedies. To slow the aging process and provide continued
brain strength, an anti-oxidant, nutrient rich diet will keep
your body and brain functioning at more youthful levels.
"Oxidative damage" is the most common blame for brain decline.
The brain is highly sensitive to oxidative, free radical damage.
Foods high in antioxidants counter that damage and protect the
brain. "Brain starvation" is another common cause of mental
decline. The brain is the greediest organ in your body and its
dietary requirements are high. Feed the brain with the
protective nutrients it needs and it will perform better.
Slow the affects of age and brain function by incorporating
these good
brain foods to your daily diet;
Blueberries: Blueberries top the list of food good for
the brain. Studies show that diets rich in berries, and most
specifically blueberries, greatly improves motor skills and
learning capacity. Research also shows that blueberries help
reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's
disease and dementia and protect the brain from oxidative
stress. The most interesting news is that blueberries not only
slow brain decline, blueberries can actually reverse it and
improve memory. Cranberries, blackberries, raspberries and
strawberries are also extremely high in brain-boosting benefit.
The Brain Food Recommendation: Add at least 1 cup of
fresh or frozen blueberries or other berries a day to your diet.
Wild Salmon: If you are worried about the effects of
age and the brain, make sure you add Omega-3 rich Salmon and
other deep, cold-water fish. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are
essential for brain function and also contain anti-inflammatory
substances. Other oily fish that provide the benefits of
omega-3s are sardines and herring. Omega 3
food add
many health benefits in addition to helping the brain function
better.
Natural Brain Food Recommendation: Add a 4-ounce serving of
the natural brain food salmon or other Omega-3 rich fish to your
diet two to three times a week.
Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are an excellent source of
the power antioxidant Vitamin E and high on the list of best
brain food. Studies show that higher levels of vitamin E
correspond with less cognitive decline. Sunflower seeds, sesame
seeds, flax seed, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts,
almonds, cashews, peanuts and non-hydrogenated nut butters all
provide benefits.
Natural Brain Food Recommendation: Add an ounce of nuts or
seeds to your daily diet. Be careful that you do not overdo this
brain-booster. Too much of this higher calorie food will add to
your waistline.
Avocados: As a food good for the brain, avocados are
almost as powerful as blueberries . It is true that the avocado
is a fatty fruit, but it's a monounsaturated fat, which
contributes to healthy blood flow. Healthy blood flow equates to
a healthier brain.
What Food is Good for the Brain?: This is another high
calorie "Less is More" food. Just 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado daily
will do the trick.
Whole Grains: Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain breads,
popcorn and barley promote cardiovascular health and good blood
flow throughout the organ system, which includes the brain.
Wheat germ, though not technically a whole grain, also goes on
the list of natural brain food because wheat germ adds fiber,
Vitamin E and some omega-3s.
The Brain Food Recommendation: Add three slices of whole
grain bread, a 1/2 cup of oatmeal or other whole-grain cereal,
or two tablespoons of wheat germ to your daily diet.
Beans: Beans stabilize glucose (blood sugar) levels. The
brain cannot store glucose and
The brain is dependent on glucose for fuel yet cannot store
glucose. Beans provide steady stream of energy, as well as a
high amount of fiber. With so many varieties - black beans, lima
beans, pinto, kidney, garbanzo, Great Northern, Navy and others
- it's easy to add variety in this under-recognized super food
section. Peas and lentils, other foods in the legume family,
also provide benefit.
The Brain Food Recommendation: Add at least a 1/2 cup of
beans or other legumes to your diet every day.
Citrus Fruits and Colorful Vegetables: Because of their
antioxidant properties, citrus fruits and colorful vegetables
are high on the best brain food list. The more colorful the
better. Brightly colored yellow, orange, red, purple and green
fruits and vegetables are antioxidant rich. Go for orange with
carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, mango, papaya and oranges.
Blueberries, blackberries, prunes, red grapes and eggplant add a
blue/purple hue to your plate. Add red to your diet with
cherries, tomatoes and red pepper. The best antioxidant source
of green vegetables are found in the dark green vegetables -
spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli.
The Brain Food Recommendation: As many colorful
vegetables as you can, with an absolute minimum of five servings
daily. Since colorful fruits are higher in calories, add two to
four servings daily to your diet.
Freshly Brewed Tea: Whether it's hot or iced, freshly
brewed tea contains a modest amount of caffeine which, when used
in moderation, can boost brain power by enhancing memory, focus,
and mood. Tea also has potent antioxidants, especially the class
known as catechines, which promotes healthy blood flow. Green
tea contains chemicals that enhance mental relaxation and
alertness and is especially good for brain function.
The Brain Food Recommendation: Two to three cups a day of
freshly brewed tea. Note that bottled or powdered teas don't
count.
Dark Chocolate: Eat chocolate and stave the effects of
age and the brain? Oh joy! Dark chocolate contains several
natural stimulants, including caffeine, which enhance focus and
concentration, have powerful antioxidant properties and
stimulate the production of endorphins to helps improve mood.
Like nuts, seeds and avocado, this is another natural brain food
to be used in moderation.
The Brain Food Recommendation: Enjoy 1/2 ounce of dark
chocolate daily. Note that the more processed chocolate
varieties such as milk chocolate and white chocolate do not
provide the same amount of benefit as dark chocolate.
Water: Water, technically, is not a food. However, it is
am absolute must for brain performance. The brain is about 80
percent water and a primary rule of brain nutrition is
hydration. As a general rule, if your urine is pale yellow and
almost odorless, you are drinking enough water.
The Brain Food Recommendation: Drink pure water and
plenty of it - at least eight glasses daily. The two to three
recommended cups of fresh-brewed tea count toward this brain
hydration requirement. Higher activity levels will increase this
requirement, as will hot and humid weather, illness, pregnancy
and breastfeeding.
The typical 30-year-old is not quite as quick to pull
information from their memory bank as a 20-year-old is. The
typical 60-year-old is not as sharp mentally as they were in
their 40s. That said, some people do age slower than others.
There are 80 year olds with the mind and body of people decades
their minor. There are 70 year olds who can easily match wits
with 40 year olds. To keep your brain operating at maximum
capacity, you must consume good food for the brain. Memorin is
natural food for the brain and an excellent support for age and
the brain.
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