Browsing through cookbooks and cooking videos is a very therapeutic activity. I think most of you will agree with this statement. It can leave you salivating yet you can’t stop watching these videos and flipping through the pages of some healthy recipes. Most of the time it just motivates us to go get up and treat ourselves and our bodies right; have good nutritional food and ditch that junk food. Not that I have anything against junk food- it is very tasty but let’s admit it junk food is not-so-healthy. Well don’t be alarmed, I am not writing this blog to tell you how bad junk food is but to tell you about food that will boost your brain, yup, food can uplift your brain- make your
memory stronger, improve your cognitive process and even regulate your emotions. Feeding your brain the right nutrients can do so many wonders, you would be surprised!
The everyday nutritional choices that we make in terms of what we eat, what we choose to eat play a very important role in our overall health. Certain foods can help keep the brain fit and healthy and problems such as the early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s or other neurological problems can be prevented and kept at bay by making sure that we include certain food in our diet. Let me go ahead and list out a couple of foods that can make your brain healthier.
Green leafy vegetables, yes as much as you would like to skip the tree of doom or broccoli, you must consume your greens. Kale, spinach, collars, broccoli, and so on are very rich in nutrients like vitamin K, folate, lutein, and beta carotene- what are these nutrients? They are brain-healthy nutrients, they will keep your brain healthy. Moreover, research has shown that consuming plant-based food can slow down the process of cognitive decline. Consume fish at least twice a week, but hey! Choose only those fish that have minimal to no mercury, like tuna and so on. Fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, it can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. But I understand if you are a vegetarian or a person who hates fish, in that case, reach out to a doctor and ask them for alternatives and supplements for omega-3.
Do you love berries? I love them, you can put them everywhere and it tastes heavenly, right? Berries have something called flavonoid (a natural pigment that gives berries their color) that helps in improving memory! I did tell you some brain-foods might surprise you, here’s another one. Can’t start your day without a shot of caffeine? Well, tea and coffee can improve not just your short-term concentration but if you consume it regularly and in the right amount, it can increase your ability to solidify new memories. Furthermore, have you ever wondered why walnuts look like a brain? Maybe because it is telling us that it can do wonders for the brain? Nuts like walnuts are an abundant source of protein and healthy fats. Walnut in particular helps in improving your memory. So a handful of walnuts will boost your memory!
In short, food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B, and other antioxidants is very good for our brain. It can boost our memory, concentration and prevent multiple diseases. Incorporating these foods into our daily diets will translate into better and healthier neurological and mental functioning. Thus, my zuperb readers, ‘You are what you eat’ must be true but remember there is no magic medicine or supplement that will prevent cognitive decline but the inclusion of the right foods and nutrients over time will, and don’t forget your greens.
Rajnandini Barman
Team ZUPERLY
