The right foods fuel the body -- and the brain. Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, a UCLA professor of neurosurgery and physiological science, noted in an article found on Science Daily that "food is like a pharmaceutical compound that affects the brain...This raises the exciting possibility that changes in diet are a viable strategy for enhancing cognitive abilities, protecting the brain from damage and counteracting the effects of aging." Choose foods that boost and promote brain function, and avoid junk food that possibly have detrimental effects on the brain.
Better Thinking through Omega-3s
Beef up your memory and mental functions with omega-3 fatty acids, which are normally found in salmon and other fatty fish as well as walnuts and kiwi fruit. Dr. Gomez-Pinilla states a diet rich in omega-3s can help improve learning and memory, as well as protect against depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia. The growing brain also benefits from omega-3 acids, as results from an English study suggest an improvement in school performance among students who consumed a drink containing omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, folic acid and multi-vitamins.
Foods that Sap Brain Power
On the flip side, foods high in animal fat and low in omega-3 acids may boost the likelihood of the onset of Alzheimer's disease, as suggested by a team of Université Laval researchers reporting their findings in the journal "Neurobiology of Aging." If you want better brain function, you may want to quit washing down that burger or rack of ribs with sugary sodas. A 2007 study published in the journal "American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" links excessive consumption of high-sugar sodas with poor memory retention and double the presence of the amyloid plaque deposits associated with Alzheimer's.
Anti-Aging Antioxidants
Gary Wenk, author of the book "Your Brain on Food," recommends a diet packed with foods abundant in antioxidants, such as vividly hued fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, and dark chocolate. Antioxidant-rich foods offer protection against what Wenk calls "the most deadly thing we expose ourselves to every day--Oxygen. Because we consume food, we must consume oxygen. Because we consume oxygen, we age." Antioxidant-containing foods slow down the signs of aging, and studies have shown that caffeine in moderate amounts also counteracts the toxic actions of oxygen in the brain.
Smarter Eating Sharpens Brain
Packing the stomach with food can overload the brain, according to Michael Green of Aston University of England, who said the brain works most efficiently on smaller, more frequent meals. Grazing keeps the amount of glucose in the bloodstream reasonable and steady. Similarly, stick to foods low on the glycemic index, since high glycemic foods cause blood sugar to rise rapidly, often overwhelming the brain. Lower glycemic foods offer a balanced supply of energy to the brain, keeping it sharp and focused.
References
- Science Daily: Scientists Learn How Food Affects The Brain: Omega 3 Especially Important
- Science Daily: High-Fat Diet Could Promote Development Of Alzheimer's Disease
- "Psychology Today": How Does Food Affect Our Brain?
- MyClevelandClinic.org: Heart-Health Benefits of Chocolate Unveiled
- LiveScience.com: Brain Food: How to Eat Smart
Member Comments