#health #brain #memory #food #nutrients
“Eating brain food is Smart!” — Paul Ebeling
Over the last few yrs, more and more research has been conducted about how the foods we eat affect brain health. It has been clear for yrs that eating foods high in trans fats and sugar are bad for our health, and recently been proven that these foods are bad for our brains too.
The Big Q: In a world full of fast food and pre-produced dishes, how can you tell what is good for your brain?
The Big A: Below are some of the best nutrients that can help to improve your memory as well as prevent memory problems.
1st: Omega 3 has been shown to actually protect our brains from deteriorating and improve memory and concentration. Getting enough Omega 3 can make a big difference as we age, which is why it is important to introduce Omega 3 rich foods into your eating plan.
So, eat oily fish, like salmon or tuna, as they are a great ways to make sure you are getting enough of these essential Omega 3 vitamins to help you improve your memory and protect your brain.
Then Zinc, as our brains need zinc to help the neurons communicate with each other. It has been shown that a deficient amount of zinc in the brain can cause memory impairment, which is why it’s important.
So, eat oysters, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, cocoa and dark chocolate. There are a lot of foods that have high levels of zinc. Incorporate some of these into your eating plan to get the memory improving effects that zinc has to offer.
And vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid all help control levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been associated with poor memory and increased risk of dementia. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is quite common in vegetarians and older adults.
So, eat organic meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Good sources of folic acid are asparagus, avocado, beets, broccoli and chickpeas.
Lastly on my list is good black coffee, as a study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience explains how caffeine has a positive effect on our long-term memory. The way that caffeine works is that it blocks a chemical called adenosine, which is what helps you feel awake and alert, and can also help improve memory.
So, drink coffee, and remember that coffee can make you dehydrated, so it’s important to drink good water too!
Eat healthy, Be healthy, Live lively
