Partaking the right food is one of the easiest ways to keep our brain and memory in optimal condition. Our brain is the central point of our body system that keeps us breathing, moving, feeling, and thinking. And certain foods help better brain health and stronger memory.
Fish- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
This includes fatty fish such as salmon, trout, albacore tuna, herring, and sardines. About 60% of brain is made up of fats and about half of that fat is omega 3 fatty acids. They help in the formation of brain and nerve cells and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. They also help in learning, memory and improving mood, thus preventing depression.
Coffee
Waking up to a hot cup of joe is indeed the right way! It reduces risks of not only Alzheimer’s disease but also cognitive decline, Parkinson’s disease and even stroke! Phew, who knew! The various antioxidants along with caffeine present in it support brain health. It blocks adenosine, a chemical that makes us sleepy. Hence coffee is good for increasing focus and alertness. The brain’s ability to process information also increases with coffee.
Eggs
It seems non-vegetarian food is winning the race towards a smarter you! Eggs too are brain food because they contain B vitamins B-6 and B-12, Folic Acid and Choline. Vitamins B 6 and B 12 help in slowing down mental decline in old people. Choline helps regulate memory, mood and other mental functions too. Egg yolk is rich in lecithin, which is the main raw material for the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, whose decrease will result in poor memory.
Dark Chocolate
And it keeps getting better and yummier! Dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content is rich in flavonoids, which improve memory by increasing the blood supply to the brain and also keep the brain calm and relaxed.
Cauliflower & Broccoli
That delectable gobhi manchurian we are tucking in has choline, a nutrient that improves our brain efficiency thus improving our reasoning, memory power and decision making abilities. It is also rich in antioxidants that support brain health.
Cauliflower’s close cousin broccoli isn’t far behind in improving our brain health. One of the richest souce of Vitamin K, it improves memory and cognitive functions. It too has antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory effects that help the brain against damage. The glucosinolates found in broccoli is turned into isothiocyanates by the body that may lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress.
Nuts & Seeds
Peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, they all are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, Niacin (found in peanuts), and antioxidants. Vitamin E and Niacin reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and help against oxidative stress. These nuts and seeds also help in better brain function in old age. How you may ask? The lecithin contained in nuts not only activates brain cells, but also promotes the production of acetylcholine, the brain’s neurotransmitter, and helps the brain to be flexible and slow down the effect of aging.
Brain is what keeps us alive and kicking. And we just realised that some of our favourite foods and beverages like dark chocolate, walnuts, coffee are actually food for the brain! We just have to remember to consume them daily in order to make our memory and brain functions even sharper and better to live a long, satisfactory, and most importantly, a happy life!