Do you want to enhance the functioning of your brain? Do you want to improve your brainpower? You must include some foods in your diet. And, after incorporating a healthy diet, stick to it for extended periods. Like yoga asanas and meditation, foods also help in improving mental health. Well, nutrition and training are both required for maintaining well-being. And fitness can only be maintained if you take care of your physical and mental health. Not medicines or drugs, but you specifically go for healthy foods for enhancing your memory. Indeed, there are specific foods for improving the working of the brain. Read this article for learning about foods that help in improving mental health:
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Blueberries
Most doctors recommend blueberries, one of the healthiest foods for maintaining fitness. Blueberries contain antioxidants that eliminate germs and enhance immunity. They are great for keeping blood pressure and cholesterols at the right levels. Ok, now talk about the blueberries benefits to the brain.
Professionals claim that blueberries help in controlling or delaying short-term memory loss. You face better memory problems if you consume blueberries daily. According to your preference, you can choose dark or light purple blueberries for availing vast health benefits.
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Broccoli
Like blueberries, the healthiest fruit, broccoli, is one of the healthiest vegetables. When it comes to greens, every physician and doctor recommend broccoli. Broccoli is rich in vitamin K that improves cognitive function and enhances the overall brainpower. Broccoli contains glucosinates. Its compounds inhibit the speed of acetylcholine (neurotransmitters, required for the proper working of the central nervous system). With broccoli, you can keep your brain memory sharp for more extended periods. Broccoli also helps in avoiding Alzheimer’s disease by maintaining levels of acetylcholine.
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Whole-Grains
After broccoli and blueberries, we have whole grains that help in enhancing physical and mental health. Whole-grain foods are popular because of their high fiber content. It is this fiber that makes them maintain blood pressure, cholesterols, and heart at a reasonable rate. Whole-grain foods mainly provide the energy required for performing daily life activities. Whole grain nutrients also help in regulating the flow of blood to the nervous system. Therefore, you can improve your concentration by eating whole-grain foods. You should particularly look for whole grains that have low-GI. Here are some whole grains that you should consume at regular intervals
- Brown Bread
- Brown Rice
- Whole Grain Cereals
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Fishes
Fish contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) required for the normal functioning of the brain. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids that neurons and nerves a proper function. Another compound found in fish is DHA, EHA. We can also find these compounds in walnuts, soybeans, flax seeds, and oils. So, if you eat fish, you can prevent the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. You should look for fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, etc. For maintaining your brain memory, you need to eat fish at least three times a week.
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Tomatoes
Red-colored tomatoes provide a lot of help in enhancing brain memory. They contain antioxidants called lycopene that help during cell damage. Tomatoes specifically eliminate the cells that increase the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Tomatoes offer a specific type of taste. We use tomatoes in most of the dishes we cook daily. So, it is up to you whether you want to enjoy tomatoes in your recipes (meals) or you want to enhance your taste by adding olive oil. With tomatoes, you can increase your absorption rate as well as enhance the efficacy.
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Sunflower Seeds
Like herbs, seeds of plants also offer vast health benefits. Seeds contain many types of healthy compounds. Sunflower seeds contain high vitamin E content. I guess you are aware of the importance of vitamin E for your brain. You need to know that one ounce of dry sunflower seeds fulfills around 30% of the daily requirements. You can avail nutrients from sunflower seeds by merely sprinkling them on your salads. By eating these salads daily, you can provide a definite boost to your brain.
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Blackcurrant
Here is one more fruit that helps in enhancing the functioning of the brain. Like milk and calcium, blackcurrant also contains vitamin C. According to physicians, vitamin C improves mental agility and increase the power for protecting age-related degeneration. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are the two specific diseases that can be avoided by consuming blackcurrants. You should eat blackcurrant at different times in between your daily meals. So, not only can you control your appetite, but you can also avoid some diseases. If you want to eat other fruits for availing vitamin C, you should go for citrus fruits such as oranges.
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Pumpkin seeds
In addition to sunflower seeds, other seeds, such as pumpkin seeds also help in increasing brainpower. They even arrive with various antibacterial and antifungal properties that eliminate germs. Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of zinc. The mineral called zinc is known for improving thinking skills and enhancing memory.
Moreover, small pumpkin seeds also contain tryptophan, b vitamins, and magnesium. You can alleviate stress or anxiety as well as maintain your concentration by consuming pumpkin seeds at regular intervals. You should eat pumpkin seeds in your favorite recipes or sprinkle them on salads.
Wrapping Up
Like foods for enhancing the liver, kidneys, and muscles, there also are foods that help in strengthening the brain, nerves, i.e., mental health. Blueberries contain antioxidants and compounds that help in curing or delaying short-term memory loss. Broccoli comes with compounds called glycosides that improve the overall working of the central nervous system. Fishes, notably salmon and tuna, have DHA, EHA, and omega-3 fatty acids that avoid Alzheimer’s disease. Whole grains such as brown bread and brown rice contain fiber that increases the focus and concentration. Seeds like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich in minerals and vitamins that improve thinking skills. Tomatoes arrive with lycopene, the compounds that particularly helpful in avoiding Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. So, consume these foods for maintaining the functioning of your brain.
Updated:3 July 2020
