THESE SUPER FOODS WILL KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY

A healthy body needs good activity and a balanced diet to function well, so does the brain. Our brain is highly affected by the activities our body makes, as well as the food we consume. Therefore, if you need a healthier brain you need to start consuming these super foods:

1. DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate has been proven to have many benefits for our body and brain especially for being in its free radical neutralizing antioxidants. It starts with boosting your hormones of happiness, making you less stressed. Also, dark chocolate enforces the blood flow into your brain boosting your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the flavonoids in the cacao goes directly to the area related to learning and memory such as the hippocampus. Finally, the low doses of caffeine in it work as brain boosters that improve memory, mood and concentration.

2. BERRIES

Berries are very rich in antioxidants and for this reason they are linked to brain health. The antioxidants found in berries, such as anthocyanin, caffeic acid, catechin, and quercetin, help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These have many positive effects on the brain such as boosting the communication between brain cells, decreasing inflammation in the body, and helping brain cells form new connections. Consume more strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries for the best results.

3. COFFEE

You may drink coffee first thing in the morning or when you arrive to your office to give your brain a boost and feel more awake and focused. But have you ever wondered how coffee can make you feel awake? In fact, the caffeine in it blocks the adenosine substance which makes you feel sleepy. In recent studies, it has also been proven that coffee is able to raise your brain’s capability to assess information by boosting its complex and variable activity. Furthermore, consuming coffee can help reduce the risk of cognitive weakening, strokes, and diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer.

4. NUTS

Who doesn’t love a handful of pine nuts, almonds, pistachios, and cashews for snack time? These are full of fats and proteins which may be great for the brain functioning especially with age. Rich in the antioxidant vitamin E, they are able to protect cells from what is called oxidative (inequity between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to counter their harmful effects). With age, people become more susceptible to oxidative stress and the vitamin E found in nuts is vital for them.

5. BROCCOLI

In general, vegetables are very healthy, but broccoli is specifically healthy for your brain. Here is why: cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli are rich in fiber and nutrients, low in calories and rich in glucosinolates, which when digested release isothiocyanates. These compounds may have the ability to decrease oxidative stress as well as the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. You can find the same effects in many other cruciferous vegetables containing glucosinolates. Consume the following: • Turnips • Kale • Brussels sprouts • Cabbage • Cauliflower