Let Top Brain Foods To Boost Focus and Memory
The food we eat affects our health and how we look, and it plays a role in the functioning of our brain. We often talk about gut healing foods, without mentioning brain foods. We know that the gut helps regulating our body’s immune responses and inflammation. Gut hormones also influence cognitive ability, like learning, focussing, remembering and recognizing when we have eaten enough. Certain foods are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and sugars, and they provide fuel for the brain and are protective against inflammation and brain diseases.
Here are the top brain foods to boost your focus and your memory:
1. Avocados
Avocados often get a bad rep because they contain a lot of fat. However, people don’t understand that they are packed with monounsaturated fats, the good fats. Also rich in vitamin K and B9 (folate), avocados are protective against strokes by preventing blood clots in the brain. They improve cognitive functions such as memory and concentration. Avocados have the highest protein content of any fruit, making them a great a great substitute for animal products.
2. Beets
Beets are some of the most nutrient-rich plants you can find. They reduce inflammation, they are protective against cancer and they are a powerful detoxifier. Adding beets to your detox diet menu will help rid your blood of harmful toxins. The nitrates found in beets boost blood flow, which encourages mental performance. Studies have also shown that eating or extracting the juice of these root vegetables helps boosting energy and performance levels during physical activity.
3. Blueberries
According to Doctor Michael Greger, author of the book “How not to die”, we should eat one portion of berries daily, for their incredible antioxidant properties. Packed with vitamin C and K, all berries are good for your brain. Blueberries are particularly great at protecting the brain against degeneration and oxidative stress, due to their high levels of gallic acid.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the best brain foods to add to your diet plan. It is a vegetable from the cruciferous family that provides high levels of vitamin K , vitamin C, vitamin B9, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and calcium. It promotes healthy brain functions and protects against DNA damage and cancer. Broccoli is also rich in fibers, which helps you feeling full and encourage weight loss and colon cleansing.
5. Celery
Celery may only contain 16 calories per cup, but it offers many other health benefits. It is full of antioxidants and polysaccharides that combat inflammation, joint aches and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Rich in alkaline minerals and fibre, celery is a great food to eat if you are trying to cleanse your body while losing some weight.
6. Chocolate
Did you know that chocolate can be good for you?Commercial chocolate is highly processed, contains dairy and artificial sugars. However, real cacao or dark chocolate is rich in flavonols, which have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They do wonders on your brain, lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow. Cacao is also rich in magnesium, iron and vitamin C.
7. Leafy greens
Popeye was right, spinach is powerful. In fact, all leafy green vegetables are amazing foods. They are considered a brain food because they help preventing dementia, they are loaded with essential minerals, as well as vitamin A and K, to help you fight inflammation and keep your bones strong. Eat two portions of leafy greens daily, like kale, swish chard, spinach, romaine and arugula.
8. Rosemary
One of the main ingredients in the herb rosemary, called Carnosic acid, helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration. It protects the brain against free radical damages, which are linked to Alzheimer’s, dementia, strokes and the aging of the brain. Rosemary also helps prevent the deterioration of eyesight, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers.
9. Turmeric
The spice turmeric has been used throughout history for its healing properties. Curcumin is the compound in turmeric that offers powerful anti-inflammatory agents. It boosts antioxidant levels and fights DNA damage. It strengthens the immune system and improves the flow of oxygen in the brain, which keeps you alert and fit to process information.
10. Walnuts
Did you ever notice how walnuts actually look like small brains. And it turns out that they can also do wonders for your brain. Eating a few walnuts a day may improve cognitive health and keep you away from dementia. Their vitamin E content is known to be protective against Alzheimer’s. They are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which also improves mental health.
Fasting for brain health
Recent studies have shown that fasting twice a week could lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. The same goes with diet plans that restrict calories intake, showing prolonged lifespan and stronger immunity. Fasting or restriction calories allow the body to grow new stem cells and repair DNA. Unfortunately, you will never see a clinical trial on fasting alone, because pharmaceutical companies can’t patent it. You can try intermittent fasting or a 7 day detox at home.
