“What Are The Best Brain Health Foods for Brain Function and Memory?”
Your brain is highly sensitive to diet and lifestyle, foods you eat do impact on how your brain functions…
YES! You can eat certain types of the right foods to improve the health of your brain.
Every bite of food has some form of natural and chemical toxins which prompts the immune system to kick in…
And fight back against this stress through inflammation.
Basically your body recognizes these as though stress is an infection.
While inflammation helps protect you against illnesses and help maintain and repairs your body…
When you have chronic inflammation this is an entirely different kind of stress.
A stress that’s been linked to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, anxiety, high blood pressure and more.
In fact, most people unknowingly suffer from intolerances to processed food, grains and dairy.
What kind of food is really good for your brain?
The most effective omega-3 fats which are found naturally in oily fish in the form of EPA and DHA.
Good plant sources include linseed (flaxseed), soya beans, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and their oils.
These fats are important for healthy brain function, the heart, joints and our general wellbeing.
In fact, there are guidelines for optimizing your diet which will make your brain work better.
Brain health foods no matter what your age…
What does this all have to do with food?
Actually a lot because your gut helps keep your body’s immune responses and inflammation under control.
You see, your gut hormones enter the brain or are produced in the brain influence cognitive ability.
This affects understanding and processing of new information.
And how to stay focused on task at hand and recognizing when you’re full.
Brain foods rich in antioxidants, good fats, vitamins and minerals provide energy…
This in turn helps to protect against brain diseases.
So when you focus on giving your body whole, nutritious foods…
You are providing benefits to your gut as well as your brain.
You’re actually benefiting your minds and body while keeping you in tip-top shape.
Here are 6 brilliant ways you can use to boost and tweak your diet for optimal brain health….
1. Simple to load up on fiber
Dietary fiber nourishes gut bacteria that create short chain fatty acids.
These [fatty acids] have been shown to boost protective proteins in the brain like BDNF.
In fact, what they call a miracle growth protein because it helps promote neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.
To ensure you get your daily intake of fiber you can eat salads every single day.
Include cauliflower, broccolini and red cabbage.
These are full of prebiotic fiber, which helps reduce inflammation of the body and boosts BDNF.
Salads provide abundance of nutrients and make it really easy to check off so many of your nutritional boxes…
2. Avoid sugary junk foods
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know processed food is not brain health food!
Eating processed foods filled with chemicals and added sugar can cause your blood sugar levels to rise.
And when your blood sugar is chronically elevated it inflames (scorches) interior of veins and arteries.
In fact, it creates a process called glycation which results in damage of blood vessels (protein) are made of.
This spells trouble for your brain.
You see, the brain is fed nutrients which is glucose and oxygen by 400 miles of microvasculature arteries.
Chronically elevated blood sugar damages these arteries.
According to brain researcher up to 40 percent of Alzheimer’s cases may be linked to chronically elevated insulin levels.
Giving foods with added sugar the boot helps keep your insulin hormones at a healthy levels.
And improves your odds of warding off the disease.
3. Eat lots of mushrooms
Next time you’re planning your meal consider brain-boosting portobello mushroom burger.
Doctors and scientists have long been touting powerful effects of mushrooms if you eat them on a regular basis.
And thanks to a recent study we finally know why….
You see, it turns out mushrooms have on of the highest natural source of two extremely powerful antioxidants…
Ergothioneine and glutathione.
Yes, both of which have been linked to longevity.
The study shows a strong correlation between mushrooms a reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
When shopping at your local farmers’ market choose porcini mushrooms to get biggest antioxidant bang for your buck.
Alternatively, white button mushroom variety is loaded with all the good stuff, too.
4. Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) on everything
Thanks to powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols found in olive oil…
It’s an easy way to ramp up your brain power of whatever you have on your plate is to add extra-virgin olive oil.
It’s been shown to have almost drug-like properties in terms of its benefits on the brain and body.
Firstly, extra virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties.
This helps protect against illnesses like cancer and heart diseases.
Also encourages your body’s internal-cleaning mechanism (autophagy) which is important for long-term brain health.
5. Indulge in moderation
It’s health and better for you to not indulge in diet rich processed junk foods.
Especially bread including some carbs and grains…
If you want to eat brown rice or sweet potato eat in a way that works for you.
When it comes to all foods and health benefits in relation to portioning some are better than none, right?
Now, it doesn’t mean you should eat too much.
Look, even is the food is super healthy like cruciferous vegetables…
Kale, bok choy, Brussels sprouts they can cause health issues if consumed in excess.
6. Make room on your plate for meat
Unless you’re a super-strict vegetarian consider adding red meat to your diet.
In context to your brain health, grass-fed organic red meat is a health food without question.
Of course there’s really unhealthy meat and really healthy meat.
The vast majority of evolution points to ancestors would have never given up the opportunity to eat nutrient dense meat.
In fact, researchers speculate it’s not only access to meat, cooked meat actually catalyzed the growth of our brains.
You’d be far better to regulate your diet and if it means adding beef or collagen-filled chicken drumsticks 2-3 times a week…
There are nutrients in meat to help your brain work better,.
Studies by UCLA found red meat improved cognitive function of children in developing world.
Research suggests women who add red meat to their diet were able to cut their risk for depression and anxiety disorder in half.
Again, just regulate what you eat when meal-planning.
While you’re boosting your brain function you can also add some nootropic supplements into your daily mix…
Best foods for the brain?
Avocado is one of the healthiest fruits you can eat.
Avocados often are misunderstood because of their high fat content.
Look, it’s important to consider these green powerhouses are packed with monounsaturated fats which stabilize blood sugar levels.
And are awesome for healthy glowing skin.
Avocado provided vitamin K and folate to help stop blood clots in the brain…
And protects against stroke as well as improve cognitive function, especially improve memory and concentration.
Also rich in vitamin B and vitamin C, (this vitamins aren’t stored in your body and need to be replenished daily).
Avocado has highest protein and lowest sugar content of any fruit.
Beetroot seem to be an intimidating food for many people even vegetable lovers.
Beets are root vegetables and are one of the most nutritious plants you can eat.
Beetroot reduces inflammation, are high in cancer-protecting antioxidants and help flush your blood of toxins.
The natural nitrates in beets actually boost blood flow to the brain and this helps with mental performance.
Now, during tough workouts beets actually help boost energy and performance levels.
Blueberries are a fruit with so many amazing health benefit !
Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods around high in vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber.
Because of their high levels of gallic acid, blueberries are especially good at protecting your brain from degeneration and stress.
Bone broth is probably the ultimate food for healing your gut.
However, bone broth is really great for healing your brain.
Packed full of health benefits to boost your immune system, overcoming leaky gut, improving joint health and food allergies.
Bone broth contain high levels of collagen to help reduce intestinal inflammation…
And healing amino acids like proline and glycine to help keep your immune system functioning properly.
Again its amazing to help improve memory because it truly helps heal your body from inside out.
Broccoli is one of the best brain foods out there with high levels of vitamin K and choline.
Broccoli helps to keep your memory sharp, its loaded with vitamin C.
In fact, just one cup provides 150 percent of your recommended daily intake.
Its high-fiber levels mean you’ll feel full quickly, too.
Celery has very few calories and does offer a lot of health benefits as well.
Celery has high levels of antioxidants and polysaccharides which act as natural anti-inflammatories.
This helps alleviate symptoms related to inflammation like joint pain and irritable bowel syndrome.
Because it’s so nutrient-dense and packs loads of vitamins, minerals and nutrients with very little calories…
Celery is a great snack option if you’re looking to shed pounds.
Coconut oil is without doubt one of the most versatile and high on list as good for you.
And when it comes to your brain coconut oil delivers a full spectrum of health benefits, too.
Coconut oil works as a natural anti-inflammatory to help suppress cells responsible for inflammation.
It can help with memory loss as you age and destroy bad bacteria which hides in your gut.
Get your daily dose of coconut oil…
Dark chocolate can actually be good for you!
Yes, dark chocolate is loaded with flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
This in turn helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to your brain and heart.
TIP: Most of the chocolate you see on supermarket shelves is highly processed with hardly any health benefits.
The rule of thumb is the darker the chocolate. with at least 70 percent of cocoa contain more health benefits.
This ensures you’ll get your healthy brain benefits!
Egg yolks contain large amounts of choline which helps in fetal brain development for pregnant women.
This also breaks down bethane a chemical that produces hormones related to happiness.
Eat eggs and you feel happy…who knew huh?
Studies show eating eggs have no effect on cholesterol levels of healthy adults.
And might help raise good cholesterol levels as well.
Rosemary oil has a variety of benefits, however did you know carnosic acid is one of the main ingredients in rosemary…
And this helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration.
It does this by protecting the brain against chemical free radicals…
Which are linked to neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s, strokes and normal aging in the brain.
Rosemary oil helps protect eyesight from deteriorating because of the high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
If you love your seafood, get excited, because salmon is truly one of the most nutritious, brain food-friendly foods out there!
Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your brain running smoothly and improved memory.
The best healthy benefits are found in Alaskan wild-caught salmon.
Farm-raised and some wild caught salmon can be filled with mercury and toxins.
Turmeric provides amazing health benefits, this ancient root has been used for its healing properties throughout history.
Curcumin is chemical compound found in turmeric…
Curcumin spice is actually one of the most powerful and natural anti-inflammatory agents.
Turmeric helps boost antioxidant levels and keeps your immune system healthy…
While improving your brain’s oxygen intake.
It keeps you alert and able to process information.
Next on the list as it turns out is walnuts which can keep you from going nuts!
A small handful of walnuts a day can improve your cognitive health.
Walnuts contain high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to help improve mental alertness.
The vitamin E in walnuts can help ward off Alzheimer’s.
So go ahead, grab a handful of walnuts or add a few walnuts to your brain boosting smoothies…
Brain Health Foods