For our brains to be sharp and stay sharp what we eat matters, especially as we age. Even if you’ve experienced some cognitive decline, it can actually be turned around by the food we choose to consume; which is wonderful news. These same foods are what also keep our heart and blood vessels healthy so it’s a win win. Here are the foods for better brain power.
Green leafy vegetables
Foods like spinach, broccoli, kale or any green leafy vegetables are rich in brain health nutrients that have been proven to slow cognitive decline. Drizzle them with a little extra virgin olive oil and take your brain health to the next level. Eat leafy greens as often as you can by adding them to sandwiches, on top of pizza or mixing into casseroles, brown rice dishes and quinoa.
Walnuts
Nuts as whole are healthy for you because they are jam-packed with protein and healthy fats. But walnuts were found to improve cognitive test scores because of the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that helps to lower blood pressure and protect arteries making this nut incredibly healthy for both your brain and heart.
Berries
Research has shown that those natural beautiful colors that berries posses called flavonoids, also help to improve memory. There was a discovery that eating strawberries and blueberries two to three times per week delayed memory decline by up to two and half years in women. Blueberries are extra delicious and healthy when warmed in oatmeal. They are also listed on the 15 best foods to prevent disease and conditions.
Fatty fish
Eating healthy unsaturated fats has been linked to lowering the risk of the brain forming damaging clumps associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Eating fish with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, cod and light canned tuna twice a week is highly recommended. In addition, or if you don’t like fish, incorporate avocados, walnuts and flaxseeds into your diet any way that you can. Top your toast with some avocado, make a walnut pesto and/or sprinkle flaxseeds into cereal in the morning.
Coffee and Tea
We all know that drinking caffeine in the morning is a must to get our brains going and to be able to concentrate, at least for the short term. But studies have also shown that those who consume higher levels of caffeine scored better on mental function tests than those who didn’t. Drink more coffee; live a longer life.
