Brain Foods to Keep a Sharp and Healthy Mind

Avocadoes are a healthy brain food

The food we eat eventually makes its way to our brain. Certain foods keep our brain well-oiled while others have us performing sub-par. These Brain foods are healthy for body and for mind.

The right kinds of foods are those that keep your brain buzzing with activity, energy, focus, clarity and ablaze with creativity! The foods you eat are an important part of the thinking process.

There are a variety of brain foods that promote mental alertness, agility and a mind that is functioning at its greatest capacity. Here we look at some of the most significant of these. The more you eat of these foods, the happier and healthier your brain will be and respond in high gear when  needed.

Neurotransmitters and Brain Foods:

What happens in the brain is a biochemical process. In order for your brain cells to communicate in synchronicity with one another they require chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are messengers that deliver information from one neuron in the brain to all of the others.

To support the neurotransmitters in doing the best job possible, you need to eat foods that are abundant in protein such as fish, meat and cheese. Vitamins and minerals then must convert amino acids into the neurotransmitters which makes them strong. Each and every one of us comes by neurotransmitters by way of the foods we consume on a daily basis.

This is why we refer to the most significant of these foods as brain foods.

Sea Vegetables:

To support your brain in staying sharp and young, feed it treasures from the sea in the form of marine algae and seaweed. Sea vegetables are very good for your brain and your overall level of health.

For example, seaweed contains a plentiful amount of micronutrients and is good at fighting illnesses and diseases. Vegetables from the sea are easy on the digestive system and they can provide you with more energy. Some of the most popular forms of seaweed include dulce, kelp, kombu, Irish moss and nori.

Berries:

Berries are a top brain food for sure! Blueberries are in an esteemed group as they improve motor skills and the ability to learn while they’re also instrumental in reducing the effects of many conditions that are related to age such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Blueberries also help protect the brain from oxidative stress.

Blueberries aren’t just helpful in slowing the rate at which the brain ages but they’re actually able to reverse some of the damage age brings about and help improve memory. They’re also beneficial at ridding the body of inflammation which tends to occur more often as a person ages.

Other good choices for berries include strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and one of my favorite underrated foods… blackberries.

Avocadoes:

Avocadoes are good for the brain because they improve blood circulation. The more blood that reaches the brain, the better it is!

Just be aware that avocadoes are fatty to eat but they’re composed of monounsaturated fat which is good for the body. Due to their high calorie count, eat no more than one half to one quarter of an avocado daily.

Nuts and Seeds:

The brain loves nuts and seeds because both contain protein and essential fatty acids that keep the brain sharp and alert.

They’re also composed of an amino acid called arginine. This amino acid is responsible for encouraging the pituitary gland (which is a gland located at the base of the brain) to develop and release a growth hormone. After the age of 35, this hormone begins to be produced at a much slower rate. However with the consumption of nuts and seeds this process can be sped up.

Eat an assortment of nuts and seeds to keep it interesting for your brain. Take a lesson from the birds and eat up!

As always moderation is key to anything you do and this includes these foods. A healthy balanced diet with appropriate sized portions not only keeps your brain in tune but promotes wellness and weight management.

Erika Slater
erika@smoke-free-at-last.com
www.smoke-free-at-last.com
508 529-2490

P.S. Paying attention to the foods you eat makes sense for any overall weight loss plan but for many staying on a plan is a major challenge. And staying on a plan of healthy foods is key to keeping the weight off.

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Filed Under: Health

Tags: avocadoes, berries, brain foods, nuts, sea vegetables, seeds