Our brains run on nutrients, and without the right ones our whole body does not work. Since our brains run our entire system, it makes sense to feed the brain the proper foods in order the maintain health in all areas, as well as improve your energy, memory and cognitive skills.
It stands, therefore, that you need to know what the proper brain foods are in order to put your shopping list together for your next trip to the grocery. According to Dr. Mike Moreno, author of the The 17 Day Diet: A Doctor’s Plan Designed for Rapid Results, the following food will improve your brainpower and keep your mind in optimum health.
1. Extra lean beef: Lean beef is high in iron, which improves memory, attention, and our ability to focus and to stay alert.
2. Beets: The amino acid phenylalanine is abundant in beets, and they help to strengthen your neuroconnections (brain cell connections from one cell to another).
3. Blueberries: One of the foods highest in antioxidants and “anthocyanins,” compounds, believed to help in the protecting brain cells from toxins. Antioxidants improve how the brain uses glucose and promotes stronger interaction between neurons (brain cells).
4. Broccoli: Broccoli is full of antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect the brain tissue from toxins.
5. Carrots: High in beta-carotene and other natural substances, carrots help protect brain tissue from toxins.
6. Chicken: Chicken is high in the amino acid tyrosine, necessary for the production of the chemicals dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, required for remaining alert, motivated, attentive and mental energy.
7. Hot chilies: The fiery-tasting chemical capsaicin is in hot chilies. It stimulates circulation, opens your nasal passages, aids in digestion of food, and sends a feeling of euphoria straight to your brain.
8. Citrus fruits: High in vitamin C and other antioxidants, citrus fruits help brain cells to resist damage to brain cells and keeping memory sharp.
9. Eggs: Egg yolks are high in the B vitamin choline, a memory booster. Egg whites are high in protein, which increase levels of norepinephrine, which helps to keep your brain sharp.
10. Fish: Fish, especially ocean grown pink fish like salmon and tuna, are full of omega-3 fatty acids that are important in building and maintaining myelin. It is recommended that a diet with at least three portions of fish a week should be consumed for optimum mental health.
11. Legumes: The fiber in legumes slows the absorption of glucose, which helps to maintain stable levels of alertness, concentration, and slows the absorption of glucose in the brain.
12. Pork: High in protein and full of vitamin B1 that protects the fatty substance myelin, which aid in the communication among cells.
13. Romaine lettuce: This type of lettuce is high in the B vitamin folate, which is important for memory and nerve cell health.
14. Spinach: Popeye had the right idea. Spinach is packed full of iron, which helps improve memory, concentration and mental functions.
15. Yogurt: In many studies, the yogurt has been found to boost mental alertness.
If you don’t have your kitchen larder stocked with these foods, put them on your list for your next trip. Your brain will thank you for it.
About the author:
Ron White is a two-time U.S.A. Memory Champion and memory training expert. As a memory keynote speaker he travels the world to speak before large groups or small company seminars, demonstrating his memory skills and teaching others how to improve their memory, and how important a good memory is in all phases of your life.
Sources:
The 17 Day Diet: A Doctor’s Plan Designed for Rapid Results by Dr. Mike Moreno
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