10 Brain-Boosting Foods You Should Be Eating Every Week

Pexels

If you feel like your energy is dragging, your mind is fuzzy or your focus is lacking, it might be time to take a look at your diet instead of your medicine cabinet to see what’s missing. It’s incredible how much brain power we can derive from certain foods, and we should certainly be taking advantage of it since we are all at risk for brain degeneration as we age. Be sure to incorporate these 10 superfoods into your meals every week for an all-natural brain boost that will also protect your health in the long term.

1. Blueberries

Pexels

Research from Tufts University suggests that eating blueberries could help you stave off or improve short-term memory loss, thanks to their ability to help reverse nerve damage in cells. Plus, these babies are available year round, so including them in your daily breakfast should be a breeze.

2. Whole Grains

Pixabay

Oatmeal, whole-grain breads and brown rice have been shown to help reduce risk for heart disease, and a healthy heart means healthy blood flow throughout the organ system, which includes the brain. Plus, the steady supply of glucose (energy) from these complex carbs keeps the brain fueled and focused throughout the day.

3. Avocado

Pixabay

Here’s another win for our favorite pitted fruit. Its ample supply of monounsaturated fats is known to protect the integrity of our brain cells by improving mitochondrial function. It’s also loaded with vitamin E, which is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Tomatoes

Pexels

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes that can help protect our cells (especially brain cells) from free radical damage, which occurs in the development of various types of dementia. To absorb the lycopene most efficiently, it’s best to eat the tomatoes cooked rather than raw.

5. Oily Fish

Pexels

Salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and kippers are considered oily fish, and they’re loaded with essential fatty acids that are crucial to healthy brain function. The omega-3 oil DHA specifically helps stimulate the growth of new brain cells in the brain’s memory center. Oily fish also exhibit strong anti-inflammatory properties, so that’s an added bonus.

6. Broccoli

Pixabay

This popular cruciferous vegetable is a great source of vitamin K, which can help to enhance cognitive function, as well as improve overall brain power. It’s also high in sulforaphane, which aids the body with detoxification, the reduction of inflammation and the control of damaging free radicals.

7. Pumpkin Seeds

Pixabay

These tasty little guys pack a bigger punch of zinc than most other seeds, making them super effective at enhancing both memory and thinking skills. They’re also stocked with magnesium, a known stress buster, so snacking on these seeds can help to protect your mood and mental health as well.

8. Olive Oil

Pixabay

New research from the United Kingdom suggests that the oleic acid in olive oil can help prevent the development of brain cancer. This monounsaturated fat activates particular proteins in the body that inhibit the growth of malignant tumors in the brain, so keep drizzling the EVOO.

9. Nuts

Pixabay

Walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and flaxseeds are all chock-full of vitamin E, which is connected to less cognitive decline as you age. So toss a few of these into your morning oats or yogurt, or on top of your lunch salad to stay sharp.

10. Dark Chocolate

Flickr/eliduke

A recent Italian study found that the flavanols in cocoa can help improve our cognitive function when we consume them on a daily basis. So yes, you should literally eat (quality dark) chocolate every day to benefit your brain. That’s all there is to say here.