An inadequate intake of nutritious foods can affect the way your brain performs, as well as your overall health and well-being. Certain foods are better for the brain than others because they improve the brain's ability to remember things and also enhance the brain's ability to focus.
Whole Grains
Eat whole grain foods such as oats to increase brain activity. Foods in the grain family increase the flow of blood going to the brain. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body, including those in the brain, and this helps the brain perform better.
Berries and Spinach
Include blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and spinach in your diet to improve your memory and concentration. According to the Department of Agriculture, rats that were fed strawberry, blueberry or spinach extract every day scored significantly better on brain cell performance tests than animals that were fed a diet that did not include any of these extracts. Blueberries contain more antioxidants than most other fruits, and they offer protection against memory changes caused by aging, states the Phoenix Fire Department Health Center.
Other Foods
Nuts such as walnuts, cashews and almonds promote mental clarity. Wine and green tea increases the activity of the brain, and green tea enhances concentration. According to "Linda Page's Healthy Healing," green tea has polyphenols that serve as antioxidants that work to protect the body from deterioration. Walnuts are also a rich source of polyphenols.
Omega-3 Foods
According to "Linda Page's Healthy Healing," three-fifths of the cells in the brain are made up of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Cobb County Senior Services states that fats in the brain are "essential to brain function, including learning abilities, memory retention and moods." Eat omega-3 foods such as salmon, herring, mackerel, flax seeds and flax seed oil, olive oil, canola oil, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, beans and eggs. Besides being a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, eggs contain choline, which helps make the thinking process faster and improves memory.
References
- "The Wellness Journal": Baby, It's Cold Outside!
- Phoenix Fire Department Health Center: Here's To Your Health!
- Department of Agriculture: Berry Good Food for the Brain
- "Linda Page's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition"; Joel Gerson; 1999
- Cobb County Senior Services: Good Fats Are Important!
