Want to Improve Your Brain Power? Try Out These Healthy Foods

In order to ensure proper functionality of entire body besides exercising you also have to improve your brain power. This can be done with introduction of healthy foods that stimulate your brain’s function into your diet. Food is the fuel to entire body; it increases our energy levels, boosts our immunity, and improves overall health; which means it’s our job to make sure we eat healthy foods.

The purpose of this article is to show you how you can improve your brain power just by including certain foods into your diet.

Curry

Turmeric, the spice that gives curry, contains the anti-inflammatory antioxidant curcumin. Curcumin has the ability to cross blood-brain barrier which is why it is considered as an important neuroprotective agent in various neurological disorders. A study conducted in Germany reveals that turmeric encourages the growth of nerve cells which is beneficial for proper function of the brain.

Scientists from the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine studied the impact of compounds found in turmeric onto functionality of the brain. This research was conducted on rats which were injected with turmeric compounds. Then, researchers scanned rats’ brains. The results of the study showed that parts of the brain involved in growth of nerve cells became more active after the injection of compounds from turmeric. The results of this research pave the way for future medications for Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

Salmon

Salmon, especially Alaskan salmon, is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for the proper function of your entire body including your brain. Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation and provide protection for brain cells.

Journal Neurology published results of the study that monitored older women. Scientists discovered that women with the highest levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in her organism also had the better preservation of her brain and brain cells. This means that brain function in women with high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids was improved.

In a separate study, boys who received Omega-3 supplements had increased activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex part of the brain, which is the part of the brain associated with the working memory.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in form of supplements; also great sources of Omega-3 are sardines and anchovies.

Celery

A study from 2010 linked luteolin (plant compound) with age-related memory loss. According to the results of the research, luteolin relieves the inflammation in our brain which is, according to the experts, the primary reason of neurodegeneration. Luteolin inhibits the action of inflammatory cytokines and prevents degenerative changes in the brain. The richest source of luteolin is celery. Certain levels of this plant compound can be found in carrots and peppers.

Broccoli and cauliflower

Both broccoli and cauliflower are good sources of choline, which is a B vitamin well-known for its positive effect on brain development. Numerous studies have revealed that prenatal consumption of choline supplementation boosts later intelligence. Moreover, deficiency of choline is associated with the defects of neural tube.

Choline is, also, beneficial for adults as well due to its ability to retain the health of neurotransmitters improving your memory. Broccoli is, also, rich in Vitamin K which boosts condition.

Good sources of choline are eggs and meat too.

Walnuts

Although Omega-3 fatty acids are usually found in fish and seafood, walnuts are great sources of plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids. They are also good antioxidants and natural phytosterols. Some animal studies revealed that walnuts reversed brain aging in some older rats. Consumption of walnuts has brain-healing properties and boosts brain function.

Additionally, walnuts contain a wide range of neuroprotective compounds, including Vitamin E, melatonin, folate, and above mentioned antioxidants all of which support brain health by improving inferential reasoning in young adults. Moreover, several studies revealed that consumption of walnuts can decrease the vulnerability to oxidative stress that is a part of aging process.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants and phytochemicals that are associated with improvements brain functions like thinking, learning, memory etc. Moreover, antioxidants and phytochemicals reduce neurodegenerative oxidative stress. Additionally, blueberries contain lower level of fructose than other fruits which makes them one of the healthiest fruit you can eat.

Wild blueberries contain high levels of anthocyanin and with its antioxidant properties they protect from Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.

Red meat

Trying to eliminate meat from your diet might be a big mistake due to the fact that it contains some compounds which can’t be found in plant sources. Red meat, especially beef contains high level of Vitamin B12 which is vital for the proper function of our brain. You should, also, bear in mind that deficiency of this vitamin causes nerve and brain damage.

Other foods you can use to boost your brain power are:

• Coconut oil – great source of ketones (compounds that your body produces when converts fat into energy) which renew and restore neurons and nerve function.
• Crab and other seafood
• Chickpeas.

Other ways to improve brain power

Together with healthy diet, here are some other things you should do to improve your brain function:

• Exercise
• Reduce calorie consumption
• Control your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure regularly
• Quit smoking and drinking
• Be active and try to spend more time outdoor.

Conclusion

In order to improve the brain power and retain sharp and strong memory and other cognitive functions we should start with healthy diet first. It is important to avoid processed foods and stick with fruits, vegetables, and especially fish which is an excellent source of much-needed Omega-3 fatty acids.

References:

https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/brain-health/brain-foods.html

http://broowaha.com/articles/22949/5-foods-that-boost-your-brain-power

http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2013/10/18/10-top-foods-to-boost-brainpower/2/

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Daisy Grace

She is a US native and a professional women’s health expert. She is passionate about health, fitness and beauty and has been working as a freelance content writer for many online websites. She loves to write about different issues related to women’s physical as well as health conditions. Recently, she is researching beauty and skin care problems.

@gracedaisy88

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