Eating well isn’t just great for you physically, it can also give you a much-needed mental boost.
So forget the quick coffee or chocolate to give you a boost during those periods of low energy and brain function, before we got used to processed food and buying it so conveniently in packets and boxes, nature provided us with an excellent supply.
So let’s take a look shall we? Here are the best foods to boost your brainpower.
1. Eat a rainbow
Nature provides an abundance of colourful foods, and they are packed full of the nutrients our brain requires to work at its best.
While most people know greens like broccoli are great for brain function, greens are only the beginning.
Reds like capsicums and tomatoes, provide lycopene a powerful antioxidant proven to fight free radicals that can cause dementia and Alzheimer’s. Orange foods like pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and carrots are full of beta-carotene, which can delay cognitive aging.
Then there are the blues and purples like blackberries, blueberries, black grapes, beetroot, blackcurrants, purple plums, red cabbage and aubergine. Lowering the risk of heart disease and some cancers purple foods also prevent age-related memory loss.
Experiment, and find ways to make your meals burst full of colour.
2. Blueberries
These beauties not only taste delicious, but they also provide a load of health benefits, so it is worth mentioning them on separately.
Packed full of antioxidants, blueberries reduce effects of stress, improve learning, and are linked to lowering the risk of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and strokes.
3. Nuts and seeds
Did you know walnuts have been linked to increasing your memory and counteracting age-related cognitive decline? Cashews are also a great snack to keep your mind sharp, being rich in brain-boosting minerals magnesium and zinc. Throw in some sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed for an extra brain boost.
4. Herbs and spices
Those herbs and spices sitting in your spice rack can do much more for you than make your meal tasty. Turmeric improves memory and the antioxidants it contains can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s; thyme is full of Omega 3, sage boosts memory recall, rosemary enhances mental sharpness and mood, and cinnamon can ward off Alzheimer’s.
5. Oily Fish and Soya Beans
It’s no secret that fish is a brain food. Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 it provides the essential fatty acids we need. Oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, pilchards, herring and mackerel should be a regular feature in your diet.
Not a seafood lover? Soya beans also contain essential fatty acids and promote good cognitive function.
6. Water
Ok so maybe not food as such but water is still just as essential! Drinking it helps you to focus better and think more clearly.
Water also flushes out toxins, improves your complexion, reduces headaches and raises your metabolism to name just a few of the other health benefits. Have a glass or a bottle near you to remind you to drink regularly; sometimes we can get so caught up in tasks it’s easy to forget.
So the next time you need a boost, reach for one of these six brain foods, your body will thank you.
