4 Delicious Foods that Help Your Brain
Worried your brain could use some more help? A change in diet could be just what you need. According to Eva Selhub, MD , “Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress—the ‘waste’ (free radicals) produced when the body uses oxygen, which can damage cells.”
Food doesn’t just supply you with energy and strength—it helps your brain as well! Here are four foods that will keep your brain healthy—and that taste great too!
Avocados
This creamy, rich fruit makes a big impact on your brain! According to Dr. Isaac Jones , avocados have been shown to “improve brain cell membranes, protect brain cells, and improve signaling.” They also improve brain oxygenation and blood supply.
Avocados are wonderful on their own or added to soups, sandwiches, salads, or even smoothies. You can even use them as a substitute for butter in baked goods to lower the calorie content while boosting the nutritional value.
Berries
Not only are berries a delicious summer staple, but they have been shown to improve cognition and memory as well. For example, one study found that blueberries “improved short-term memory, navigational skills, balance, coordination, and reaction time.” Berries may also slow mental decline associated with aging.
Even though berries are considered a summer fruit, they freeze extremely well, so you can enjoy them all year long. Add berries to your smoothie, oatmeal, salad, or baked goods—the possibilities are endless (and delicious)!
Oranges
We couldn’t leave oranges off this brain-boosting list (we do, after all, reside in Orange County ). This bright, tangy citrus fruit supplies B9 (folate) and polyphenols (phytonutrients) that “promote brain development” and “play a role in development of learning and memory functions of the brain,” respectively.
This citrus fruit is obviously delicious on its own. There’s also no shortage of recipes where the orange is the star-ingredient . From appetizers to dessert, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to incorporate this delicious fruit into your brain-nurturing regimen.
Dark Chocolate
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to enjoy some dark chocolate, we’ve got it for you here: Research shows that it’s good for your brain! Dark chocolate contains a number of healthy nutrients, one of which is flavonoids. Research studies suggest that flavonoids can boost your memory and slow cognitive issues related to age.
“Eating raw chocolate can also elevate mood,” says Brian Vaszily at the Art of Anti-Aging . “This is because cacao contains some very interesting neurotransmitters, sometimes called ‘love chemicals,’ associated with motivation and pleasure.”
When it comes to planning your menu for the week, don’t forget to fuel your brain! Check out the Fullerton Certified Farmers Market for these delicious foods, and enjoy the best brain health of your life!
