While we all know that a balanced diet is good for our muscles, bones, organs and everything in-between, what about eating right in the name of our minds? A lot like our physical body, our brain requires good nutrition and a balanced life to keep it strong and working at its highest capacity. Here’s a look at 6 brain boosting foods that will help keep your memory strong and cognitive function at its absolute peak.
Go for some oily fish. Figuring out the best way to get those essential fatty acids into your daily dietary regimen is easy when you make oily fish a primary staple. Think herring, sardines, trout, mackerel and salmon – just to name a few. Those essential fatty acids like omega-3 and DHA are good for body and mind, helping to keep your memory sharp and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
How about adding a little hummus to your diet? Turns out, garbanzo beans are great brain food! Garbanzo beans are an excellent source of magnesium, a great mineral for getting blood flow to the brain, speeding up message delivery and relaxing blood vessels. (kelp and leafy greens are also a great source of magnesium)
How about getting your daily dose of vitamin E from some delicious nuts? Known to aid in the prevention of cognitive decline, nuts can give you just what you need when it comes to vitamin E. Other sources: olives, brown rice, seeds, asparagus and leafy greens.
If keeping your mind sharp is at the top of your list, giving it a break every once in a while is absolutely essential. Adding buckwheat to your diet is great for adding some relaxation through tryptophan, a natural mood-calmer. While buckwheat is great for the keeping the mind calm, it’s also high in fiber and gluten-free, making it great for the body too.
Believe it or not, despite their small size, blueberries pack a major health punch. A proven link between staying sharp and increased learning speed, blueberries also give your memory one heck of a boost. Not to mention, they’re absolutely delicious.
Love curry? Well, you’re in luck. Tumeric, an ingredient in curry that contains an essential antioxidant known as curcumin, may be just what you need for an added memory boost. Known for stimulating the production of new brain cells, curcumin may even break up plaque in the brain.
What do you think? Will you add some of these brain boosters to your daily nutritional plan?
