Are you getting enough nutrients to support healthy cognitive function and memory? Our brain requires nutrients just like our heart and lungs. But which foods are particularly important and right to keep us mentally healthy. Food can directly affect everything in our bodies from our mood and energy levels to our memory.
The best menu for boosting the memory and brain function encourages good blood flow to the brain. These are the foods that can protect our brain cells, enhance our memory, and even reduce the chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease. To keep your brain healthy and smart, eat these 10 brain-boosting smart foods.
Oily Fish
Omega-3 fatty acids have been known to help brain functions like motor skill, memory, speaking ability and cognitive functioning. Increasing dietary levels of Omega-3 could help improve conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids are very important for brain development, especially in children. Having enough supply of omega-3 in the body makes one smarter, and prevents the development of Alzheimer disease. Oily fish, such as salmon and sardines, are packed with supercharged omega-3 fatty acids that bolster communication among brain cells and help regulate blood flow in the brain..
Egg Yolk
Eggs are good source of choline and saturated fats. Choline is a precursor for acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in helping you remember things. Saturated fat is actually one of the main components of the brain cells, and it plays a key role in maintaining healthy brain. In addition, saturated fat also provides benefits for the liver and helps maintain proper hormone balance
Whole Grains
Like all the other bodily organs, the brain cannot work without energy. It relies on a steady supply of energy to perform at its best. Glucose, a kind of sugar, is the primary fuel of the human brain. Glucose is a simple carbohydrate that can travel into the bloodstream. We can get this energy by choosing whole grains with a low-GI (glycaemic index), which release glucose slowly and steadily into the bloodstream, keeping us mentally alert and healthy.
Walnuts
Walnuts are good source of vitamin E along with leafy green vegetables like asparagus, olives, brown rice and whole grains. Walnuts are also good sources of natural phytosterols, antioxidants and plant-based omega-3 fats, a type of omega-3 fat that’s been found to boost brain function and brain healing.
Celery
Celery is a rich source of luteolin, a plant compound that is said to lower the rates of age-related memory loss. Luteolin also calms inflammation in the brain, which doctors believe to be the primary cause of neurodegeneration.
Curry
Curry contains the anti-inflammatory antioxidant curcumin. Curcumin is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, which is one big reason why it holds promise as a neuroprotective agent in a wide range of neurological disorders.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a healthy fat that improves the workings of the cerebral cortex. The alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in flaxseed is a good source of the omega-3 fatty acids, which is crucial to brain function.
Lentils
Lentils are good source of dietary fiber, which regulates the releases of the glucose and provides a steady flow of fuel for the brain. Lentils are also good source of Vitamin B-complex, such as folate or folic acid. Folate plays a key role in reducing the levels of amino acids that can impair grain functioning. In addition, Lentils are also packed with memory enhancer zinc, as well as thiamine and vitamin B-6, which boost your ability to focus and finish a task.
Beets
Beets contain important nutrients like protein, phosphorus, zinc, fiber, vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, beet greens also contain significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, betaine, and carotenoids, which may help boost brain functioning and stave off depression. It also contains vitamin B9 folate, which may aid cognitive functioning and helps reduce the risk of birth defects.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains a good combination of fatty acids and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which can boost brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) in coconut oil provides a secondary fuel source for the human brain.
Image credit: Radisson Blu