Do you want your brain to have the food it deserves? Read here to find out what that is!
Beauty and the Brain
As the control center of your body – your brain is kind of a big deal. That is why it is essential for you to fuel it properly, to give it the tools you need to help you thrive. It is in charge of keeping your heart beating, your lungs breathing, and helping you to feel, move and think. In order to have it in peak working condition, you need to pump your body full of good foods for it. The food you put in it means that you can play your part in keeping your brain healthy, happy and improving mental functions such as concentration and memory.
If you want to learn about superfood for your brain – read on! This is a list of some of the best things you can give your brain.
6 Superfoods You Need
1. Fatty Fish
When thinking about superfoods for the brain, fatty fish is a major contender. These types of fish include trout, tuna, herring, sardines, and salmon. All of these fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Did you know that 60% of your brain is made up of fat, half of which is omega-3 fatty acids? Your brain needs omega-3s to help build the brain’s nerve cells, and these fats contribute massively to learning and memory. Omega-3s also help slow the process of age-related mental decline, helping to ward off diseases such as Alzheimer’s. If you don’t get enough of them, it leads to depression and further learning impairments.
2. Coffee
Everyone’s favorite thing to start the morning off with; there are 2 components involved – antioxidants and caffeine – that can help support your brain in a healthy way. The caffeine in coffee has positive effects on the brain, helping to increase alertness, improving your mood, and sharpening your concentration. If you drink it over a long period, it has been known to help reduce neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries are known to offer many health benefits, specifically to your brain. They are full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidants that help fight against stress and inflammation. They improve communication between cells, and increase memory and cognitive functions in older adults and children. They are perfect to have in a smoothie, enjoy as a snack or have in your cereal for breakfast.
4. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are both packed with brain-boosting compounds, including caffeine, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Dark chocolate has 70% or greater cocoa content. Such benefits are not found in regular milk chocolate, which usually has 10-20% cocoa. As well as this, chocolate is generally known as a ‘mood booster,’ according to research. Studies have shown that participants who have eaten chocolate experienced increased positive feelings when compared to those who ate something a bit ‘blander,’ for example, something like crackers.
5. Nuts
Eating an assortment of nuts can be linked to a happy heart and a healthy brain. If you eat nuts, it will benefit you in the future as they are linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline in adults later in life. Nuts are packed full of nutrients, such as fats, antioxidants, vitamin E, and can help benefit the brain’s health. The inclusion of Vitamin E helps to protect your brain’s cognitive function. While all kinds of nuts are good for the brain, one to particularly take note of is the walnut – they also are full of omega-3 fatty acids (like fatty fish!).
6. Oranges
Did you know that you can get almost all the vitamin C you need in a day by consuming one medium orange? Sounds easy, right? Well then, you should do it! Vitamin C is hugely important to the overall health of your brain while offering a sweet aftertaste. Studies support that having high levels of vitamin C in the blood helps improve things like attention, decision-making, focus, and memory. Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant that can help your brain cells. It is crucial for health improvement as you continue to age and can help fight off anxiety and depression. Vitamin C can also be found in kiwis, strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, and so much more.
