The brain is a big deal at any age. When you are young, it helps you to grasp most of what you learn in class. As you grow older, you need an insightful brain to navigate life, social, and work challenges. When you are old and retired, the brain will protect you from dementia and mental degeneration. You, therefore, have a responsibility of keeping the brain in top condition.
One of the ways to keep the brain healthy and productive is through food. When experts say that you are what you eat, their statement applies to the brain as well. If you eat healthy foods, your brain becomes sharp and more productive, so you’ll never need help with homework. However, food is not the only ingredient for a healthy and top-performing brain. Exercise, brain puzzles, and an engaging lifestyle will keep the brain alert.
So, what are the foods that will give you a healthy brain?
Fatty Fish
Fish on its own remains one of the most important ingredients in the development of the brain. For this reason, children should eat fish from a young age to aid in the growth and development of the brain. Some of the best fish for the brain include trout, salmon, and sardines. The fish are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Why Omega-3 fatty acids? Because the body uses these acids for new brain cells. In fact, 60% of your brain is made of fatty acids of the omega-3 variety. As such, you will have plenty of such fats to help the body form new, young, and fresh brain cells.
The same fats are used to form brain and nerve cells. These are essential parts of the body that aid in memory. If the nerves are weak or old, your memory will go down. Using these fatty acids, the body renews these cells, keeping the brain active and alive.
Overall, fish helps the body to build more grey material in the brain. It is this grey matter that carries all the nerve edges that collect signals from the brain. Through their assistance, you think, act, and respond faster.
Coffee
The magic of coffee is evident in the morning. It is a strong stimulant that awakens your senses in the morning. The benefits offered by coffee live beyond the morning. They are lifelong, keeping the brain alert and healthy.
There are two components in coffee that make it good for the brain
- Antioxidants
- Caffeine
Caffeine offers a host of benefits that are directly related to the health of your brain and long-term memory.
- Increasing alertness- caffeine keeps the brain alert longer than normal. By blocking adenosine, you will not feel sleepy or fatigued. As a result, you can work longer and handle more work than an ordinary person.
- Better Mood- caffeine boosts your serotonin, keeping you happier or feeling good for longer. The effect means that the brain is not fatigued. As a result, it can perform better.
- Improved concentration- do you want to focus on a task for long? Take a sip of coffee. The caffeine in coffee will clear the mind so that you pay attention to the details of your work.
On the other hand, the antioxidants keep the brain healthy or free from diseases. In fact, coffee has been linked to reduced incidences of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Blueberries
All berries are good but blueberries have an upper hand. They contain a heavy serving of anti-oxidants and minerals that go straight into your brain. The antioxidants will reverse oxidative stress and work on inflammation. Such actions can only be equated to repair-works on your brain.
When antioxidants accumulate in the brain, they ease cell-cell communication. Further research indicates that blueberries help to improve memory. The berries also slow down the onset of dementia in old age. Generally, the berries will delay aging, helping you to maintain a healthy brain for many years.
A lot of food items will help with memory and keep the brain healthy in so many ways. While you focus on food, you must remember to exercise the body, rest enough, and keep the brain engaged. Such actions guarantee a healthy, sharp, expanded brain capacity.
