Our brain is the most important organ in our body. It regulates every other organ including our emotions, our personality, and some say even our soul. We must feed our brain and exercise it, just as we would any other muscle or organ. Exercising our brain is done through reading, thinking, talking, doing puzzles and so on. But we also have to feed it. We have to make sure that the brain receives the right nutrients that benefit us and give us the greatest brain power so that we have better concentration whether we are at work are on school. So what foods are good for the brain and why?
<h3><strong>Tumeric</h3></strong>
The first thing you have to do is start eating plenty of curries. Researchers believe that one of the reasons many of the world’s top scientists and medical professionals come from the Asian continent is because they eat so many curries. The main ingredient in a curry is <a href=”http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2013/10/18/10-top-foods-to-boost-brainpower/”>tumeric</a>, which contains the chemical curcumin.
“Research has shown curcumin’s ability to boost memory, slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and stimulate neurogenesis, which is the process of creating new brain cells.”
Additionally, curcumin stops inflammation of the brain and helps to avoid the build up of plaque on the brain. Something as simple as this herb can have tremendous benefits that many people don’t know about. Plus, it makes your food look really nice and appetizing as it gives it the color yellow.
<h3><strong>Blueberries</h3></strong>
If you ever needed an excuse to eat blueberry pancakes for breakfast (or lunch or dinner), you now have one. Blueberries are incredibly effective as brain food. Researchers have found that they help not just in improving memory, but they also help to delay memory loss. Some even suggest that these little, readily available berries could help in reversing some of the brain damage that causes memory loss.
<h3><strong>Almonds and Walnuts</h3></strong>
Almonds and walnuts are two gorgeous nuts that have tremendous health benefits. Both of these actually enhance our overall health and should be part of everybody’s standard diet. They have particular benefits for the <a href=”http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/body/head-to-toe/brain-power-foods/#page=8″>health of your brain</a> as well.
“Studies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown that nuts improve learning and memory in old rats, and we’re beginning to see studies in humans showing the prevention of brain diseases like Parkinson’s.”
Almost all nuts have these benefits. This is because their oil contains a high concentration of vitamin E. In walnuts and almonds, however, this concentration is the highest so these should always be part of your diet.
<h3><strong>Fatty Fish</h3></strong>
It is no secret that eating fatty fish is very good for our brain. This is because of the omega 3 that is contained in fish oil, which helps to keep our brain functioning properly. The main fatty acid that is important for the brain is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Indeed, 40% of the brain’s membrane’s fatty cells are DHA. DHA is the main fatty acid found in fish oil and it directly <a href=”http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/best-foods-your-brain?s=2″>supports the brain</a>.
“Researchers at Tufts University found that people who ate fish 3 times a week and had the highest levels of DHA in their blood slashed their risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 39%.”
Additionally, we know that our body should have a healthy balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids in order to function properly. However, the foods that are sold to us today, particularly the highly processed foods, are full of omega 6 and don’t contain any omega 3. Because of this, many of us have an imbalance without even realizing it, which can lead to various health problems. As such, eating omega 3-rich foods also goes beyond the health of our brain.