In addition to getting your body in shape, have you ever considered trying to get your mind in shape? Believe it or not, what you eat can affect your thinking and age-related memory loss. Certain foods are abundant in compounds that promote neurons, encourage neurotransmitter production, decrease inflammation, and defend against neural degeneration. For clarity and boosted brain power, now might be the time to add the following foods to your diet to get your mind in shape.
- Curry: Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color, but more importantly, it contains a chemical called curcumin. Research shows that curcumin has the ability to improve memory, slow the development of Alzheimer’s and activate neurogenesis, which is the process of creating new brain cells. Studies also support that curcumin may help your brain get rid of amyloid plaques, the stuff in your brain thought to cause Alzheimer’s, and alleviate inflammation of brain and nerve cells. Anyone for Indian take-out tonight?
- Celery: Luteolin, a plant compound found in celery, has been the focus of recent studies for its link to lowering age-related memory loss. Inflammation of the brain is thought to be the primary cause of neurodegeneration, and luteolin seems to diminish this inflammation. Celery is one of the greatest sources of luteolin, but other good sources include peppers and carrots—all perfect snack options.
- Broccoli and Cauliflower: Choline, a nutrient found in broccoli and cauliflower, helps keep neurotransmitters healthy, which keeps you sharp and your memory strong. Choline is also important for prenatal brain development. Add broccoli or cauliflower to your weekly side dish rotation.
- Walnuts: Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have numerous positive effects on your body. Besides the healthy heart benefits, recent studies have also found that omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain and increase the function of neurotransmitters, which benefit memory and cognitive skills. Snack on this tasty nut or sprinkle some in your next salad.
- Chickpeas: Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are rich in magnesium. Magnesium can help boost the speed of message transmission with your brain cell receptors. Magnesium also relaxes your blood vessels, which allows more blood to circulate in your brain. It might be time to buy some hummus!
- Red Meat: Red meat is not often touted as a health food, but the vitamin B12 in red meat is vital to healthy brain function. In fact, B12 deficiency has been linked to nerve and brain damage. So do your brain a favor, and treat yourself to a nice juicy steak or hamburger.
Some of the foods in this list may already be a part of your diet, some may not, but it’s important to be aware of the foods you are putting into your body. The more aware you are of the benefits of food, the better choices you’ll be able to make in your everyday diet. The foods in this list provide essential nutrients that boost your brain power. As we age, our concerns over our mental state grow. We worry if we’ll suffer from memory loss, and to what extent. We wonder about the speed at which our brain processes information and the degeneration of our cognitive skills. Some factors we may not be able to control, but our diet is something we can control. If you want to enjoy optimum brain function as long as possible, include these foods to boost your brainpower.
Resources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2013/10/18/10-top-foods-to-boost-brainpower/
