FOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN
There's no denying that as we age, our body ages right along with us.
The good news is that you can improve your chances of maintaining
a healthy brain if you add smartfoods & drinks to your diet.
♦♦♦♦♦
Caffeine Can Make You More Alert
- There's no magic bullet to boost IQ or make you smarter
- However, certain substances, like caffeine, can energize you & help you concentrate.
- Found in coffee, chocolate, energy drinks & medications, caffeine gives you that unmistakable wake-up buzz, though the effects are short-term.
- However, if you overdo it on caffeine, it can make you jittery & uncomfortable.
Sugar Can Enhance Alertness
- Sugar is your brain's preferred fuel source but not table sugar, but glucose, which your body processes from the sugars & carbs you eat.
- That's why a glass of Orange Juice or another fruit juice can offer a short-term boost to memory, thinking & mental ability.
- Have too much, though & memory can be impaired along with the rest of you.
- Go easy on the added sugar, as it has been linked to heart disease & other conditions.
Eat Breakfast To Fuel Your Brain
- Studies have found that eating breakfast may improve short-term memory & attention.
- Students who eat it tend to perform better than those who don’t.
- Foods at the top of researchers' brain-fuel list include high-fiber whole grains, dairy & fruits.
- Researchers also found that high-calorie breakfasts appear to hinder concentration so just don't overeat.
Fish Really Is Brain Food
- A protein source linked to a great brain boost is fish which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids
that are key for brain health. - These healthy fats have amazing brain power:
1. A diet with higher levels of fish has been linked to lower dementia & stroke risks and slower mental decline.
2. They may play a vital role in enhancing memory, especially as we get older.
3. For brain & heart health, eat two servings of fish weekly.
Add & Daily Dose of Nuts & Chocolate
- Nuts & seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which has been linked in some studies to less cognitive decline as you age.
- Dark chocolate also has other powerful antioxidant properties & it contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus.
- Enjoy up to an ounce a day of nuts & dark chocolate to get all the benefits you need with a minimum of excess calories, fat or sugar.
Add Avocados & Whole Grains
- Every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain.
- A diet high in whole grains & fruits like avocados can cut the risk of heart disease & lower
bad cholesterol. - This reduces your risk of plaque buildup & enhances blood flow, offering a simple, tasty
way to fire up brain cells. - Whole grains, like popcorn & whole wheat, also contribute dietary fiber & vitamin E.
- Though avocados have fat, it's the good-for-you, monounsaturated fat that helps with healthy blood flow
Blueberries Are Super Nutritious
- Research in animals, shows that blueberries may help protect the brain from the damage caused by free radicals.
- They may also reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
Benefits Of A Healthy Diet
- If your diet lacks essential nutrients, it can hurt your ability to concentrate.
- Eating too much or too little can also interfere with your focus.
- A heavy meal may make you feel tired, while too few calories can result in distracting
hunger pangs. - To bBenefit your brain, strive for a well-balanced diet full of a wide variety of healthy foods.
Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements?
- Store shelves have shelves full of supplements claiming to boost health.
- Although many of the reports on the brain-boosting power of supplements like vitamins
B, C, E beta-carotene & magnesium are promising, a supplement is only useful to people
whose diets are lacking in that specific nutrient. - Some researchers are cautiously optimistic about ginseng, ginkgo, vitamins, mineral & herb combinations & their impact on the brain.
1. More proof is still needed.
2. Check with your doctor.
Get Ready For A Big Day
- Want to power up your ability to concentrate?
- Start with a meal of 100% fruit juice, a whole-grain bagel with salmon & 1 C coffee
- In addition to eating a well-balanced meal, experts also offer this advice:
1. Get a good night's sleep.
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Exercicse to help sharpen thinking.
4. Meditate to clear thinking & relax.
♦♦♦♦♦
Best Exercise For Your Brain | Health Directory | Why Do We Forget
♦♦♦♦♦
Copyright © 2012 - 2017 KosherWoman.com
All rights reserved
