The human brain is the center of order for the human nervous system. It receives signals from the sensory organs of the body and gives the muscles information, thus maintaining the heart beating and lungs breathing and allowing you to move, smell, and think. That is why keeping your brain in peak working condition is a good idea.
The foods we consume can have a significant effect on our brain’s development and wellbeing. Eating a brain-boosting diet can support brain function in both the short and the long term. Research shows that if you add those “smart” foods to your daily diet, you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain well into your old age.
1. Fatty Fish
Fish has long been called ‘brain food,’ and it is recommended that we eat at least two servings of fish a week, one of which should be ‘oily.’ All types of seafood are rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential to brain function, but oily fish are particularly valuable because they contain polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs)
With aging, brain activity also declines.
Although the mild mental decline is normal, there are also serious neurodegenerative ailments, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Many observational studies show that there are lower rates of mental decline among people eating more fish. People who regularly eat fish also have more gray matter in the brain centers which control memory and emotion.
2. Avocado
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Lately, and for good reason, avocados find their way into all kinds of recipes, from toast to smoothies. Avocados burst with nutrition which makes them great for the health of the heart and brain. Avocados contain good, healthy fats known to increase the levels in the brain of several different good-feeling chemicals.
Avocados help improve the overall cognitive function, especially the concentration and memory. They also contain vitamin K and folate, which protects you against stroke by preventing the formation of blood clots in the brain.
3. Blue Berries
Blueberries are known as Brain Berries because of their high levels of antioxidants; the blueberry contains anthocyanin, a compound that helps to protect memory-linked brain neurons. Oxidative stress has been shown to accelerate your brain’s aging process, which has an adverse effect on brain function.
Antioxidants in blueberries have been found to slow memory impairments and motor coordination typically associated with this aging process. A diet rich in blueberry extract may improve motor skills and short-term memory according to a USDA study.
4. Spinach
Leafy greens like spinach are rich in healthy brain nutrients such as vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. Several studies show that spinach can protect against the issues associated with age and cognitive deficits. Also, being rich in iron, an essential mineral that helps carry oxygen across the body.
Spinach also contains a higher level of folate per ounce and B vitamin which can help to reduce depression symptoms.
5. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate can also improve your brain function. A healthy volunteer study showed that eating high flavanol cocoa improved blood flow to the brain for five days. Cocoa may also greatly improve cognitive function in mentally impaired elderly people.
Researchers say eating dark chocolate can change the frequency of your brain wave, bringing benefits in improving memory and reducing stress. For most people with a sweet tooth it is well-known that dark chocolate can be a healthier indulgence.