Better memory and improved cognitive functioning are just some ways in which food can make your smarter. Your brain takes up an impressive 20% of your daily energy consumption and you should fuel it with whole grains, sprouted grains and organic foods. But your diet can do even more; improving the very fabric of your brain is just a plateful away and you can actually eat yourself smarter.
Blueberries
These tiny little berries of bliss have been shown to reduce the effects of dementia, Alzheimer’s and oxidative stress. A study on rats showed that a blueberry diet significantly improved the learning capacity and the motor skills of older rats. The study by Ron Mervis of the Center for Aging and Brain Repair at the University of South Florida College Of Medicine found that blueberries help to repair brain circuitry which improves all cognitive functioning.
Walnuts
These little nuts don’t look like brains for no reason! When researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University fed rats a walnut diet, they found that the rodents reversed several signs of brain aging and enjoyed improved motor and cognitive skills.
Beets
Beets are packed with vitamin B with improves the speed with which you process data and sort through your memories. Beets contain uridine monophosphate (UMP) which studies show increases the number of synapses in the brain.
Beets also contain nitric oxide which Science News Daily quotes as being: “broadly localized in the central nervous system, where it influences synaptic transmission and contributes to learning and memory mechanisms.”
Whole Grains
Complex carbohydrates provide a slowly released supply of glucose which is pretty much rocket fuel for your brain. This means you have better concentration and memory abilities. Whole grains also improve the flow of blood which helps your brain cells to live longer and perform better. Get your whole grains from organic bread, brown rice and legumes.
Avocados
Well this is a no-brainer since avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, they promote healthy blood flow and lower blood pressure. High blood pressure can impair cognitive abilities so keeping it under control will help to keep you sharp.
Avocados are high in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E which improve cognitive functioning and memory. Their high folate levels prevent tangled nerve fibers associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Pumpkin Seeds
Just a handful of pumpkin seeds will help you get your daily dose of zinc, vital for great memory and enhanced cognitive skills.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Oily fish such as salmon, pumpkin seeds and walnuts all contain omega-3 fatty acids which build and maintain myelin – a necessary element for better brains.
Whether you are feeding a growing brain that needs to study and concentrate or if you just want to maintain your brain power as you age, your diet plays a key role in ensuring that you stay on top of the brain game.
