9 Foods For Your Brain
When it comes to your brain, not all foods are created equal. But can eating certain foods actually increase your brain power? Yes! Remember the old saying, you are what you eat? It's true because our brains are constantly repairing. If you eat nutritious foods, your brain will work better. Which means better memory, better moods, and less anxiety. So load up on these 9 foods for being a brain ninja the next time you’re at the grocery store!
Berries - The dark color of blueberries and strawberries comes from anthocyanins. These pigments are also antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Essentially, they work like vacuum cleaners in your brain, sucking out all the stuff that gunks it up. Age-related memory loss can actually be minimized by eating more berries, so eat them by the handful!
Salmon - Wild salmon has the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA. When your neurons are repairing, they like to use DHA as the bricks and mortar. DHA is a lot better for your brain than the fats found in bacon double cheeseburgers. (Remember we are what we eat?!) And also, remember from economics class, “location location location”? It applies here, wild wild wild! Wild salmon is a gajillion times better for you than farm-raised “Atlantic salmon”.
Tomatoes - You say, Tom-A-Toe. I say, it’s packed with badass colorful pigments. Lycopene is not only a potent antioxidant, but it also influences brain growth and repair. And there’s some studies that show it’s protective for old folks. Alzheimer’s patients have reduced lycopene in their blood! Bonus: for all the dudes reading this, lycopene also reduces the incidence of prostate cancer. Win, win!
Nuts - Particularly walnuts. Have you ever compared a cracked walnut to a brain. They look strangely similar. Oddly enough, walnuts also contain Omega 3’s, including DHA. (Remember, your brain LOVES Omega 3’s.) DHA has been proven to reduce age-related cognitive decline, so you can rest assured you’re doing everything you can for your senior moments...huh?
Dark Leafy Greens. Kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of vitamin E and folate. Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant, sucking up all those nasty free radicals. And folate appears to protect the brain by destroying a chemical called homocysteine found in the blood. High levels of homocysteine trigger the death of nerve cells in the brain, so eat your greens!
Black Rice - also called Forbidden Rice. What makes it black? Anthocyanins, the same pigment that makes blueberries blue. Black rice has even more of the awesome pigment than blueberries! Top that off with a huge dose of minerals and fiber, and you have a 1-2 punch that’s tough to beat.
Avocados - This creamy treat has B vitamins that literally relieve stress. Its monounsaturated fats and potassium both promote healthy blood flow into the brain. Top that off with both vitamins E and C - both powerful antioxidants - and you have a real brain boost. People who eat lots of avocados have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s too.
Chocolate - who doesn’t love chocolate? Dark chocolate is what we’re talking about here, that’s where the medicine is. It’s called flavanals, and it’s another plant-based antioxidant. Flavanals also help dilate your blood vessels, allowing more blood to reach those nooks and crannies deep in your brain. It’s also proven to boost both your mood, focus, and alertness, more than any other food! Aim for dark chocolate with at least 72% cacao, and a low amount of sugar.
Eggs - the choline in eggs plays a major role in the structure and function of the brain. It becomes a neurotransmitter, which is basically how your brain talks. Additionally, it forms a chemical called bethane, which literally makes you happy. That’s right, eggs make you happy. And always always always eat the yolk - that’s where the choline is! Don’t worry about cholesterol from the yolks. We’ve known for decades that the cholesterol in eggs is actually good cholesterol and not the bad stuff that gunks up your veins.
Fresh whole organic foods are the best things to eat. Remember, the cleaner you eat, the less work your body will have to do to get rid of all that garbage. Which means it can focus on the really important stuff like powering your brain!
