How to Get Crucial Brain Benefits Daily by Choosing What You Eat

Cognitive abilities in humans do not remain the same throughout life. As you age, your brain keeps developing. There is a continuous improvement in some areas of your brain while some cognitive functions might become weaker. However, maintaining a healthy balanced DIET can help you stay sharp as you age.

It’s crucial to adopt a DIET that contains protein, minerals, vitamins from plant sources and contains healthy fats,?like olive oil or canola, instead of saturated fats. It’s interesting to note that the foods that help you keep your brain healthy are the same foods that keep your heart healthy which means you’ve double the reason to follow ‘brain DIET’.

Like everything else in life, adopting DIET is a choice you make. When you’re doing this for your health, only you can be held responsible which is why you need to be self-accountable every time you pick something to eat. It’s important that you’re making a conscious effort to follow the ‘brain DIET’ every day and enjoy the benefits of sharp cognitive abilities for a longer time in life.

So, in order to help you plan your DIET, we’ve compiled a list of ‘brain foods’. Like most lists, this isn’t exhaustive but it covers most nutritional needs of your brain.

Brain foods for staying sharp and on top

Green, leafy vegetables

Kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli are some of the best sources of nutrients that brains need (vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene). Plant based foods have been found to slow cognitive decline so it’s important to actually eat your greens!

Beans & Lentils

Beans & Lentils can be great sources of protein and fiber. Including these in your DIET will provide many health benefits such as reduced cholesterol, decreased blood sugar levels, and an increase in healthy gut bacteria.

Berries

Berries have a natural plant pigment, called Flavonoid, which gives them those aesthetic and brilliant hues. Interestingly, this pigment is quite beneficial for human brains and improves memory.?In a study conducted at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, researchers found that women who had more than two servings of strawberries or blueberries in a week delayed memory decline by up to two-and-a-half years.

Natural Decoctions

Known as Kadha in traditional India and Ayurvedic healing practices, natural decoctions are known for their various health benefits depending on what’s used to prepare it. For example, a decoction of dry ginger, black pepper, and honey can help with cold and cough. Other popular ingredient combos used to prepare decoctions include fenugreek & turmeric, saunf & ajwain, or basil & clove.

Walnuts

Nuts, in general, are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats. However, Walnuts, in particular, have a great impact on memory and cognitive abilities. They are high in a type of Omega-3 fatty acids that’s linked to lower blood pressure and cleaner arteries, helping both brains and hearts.

Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink salt could be a healthier alternative to the everyday salt we use. As one of the purest forms of salt, it provides many benefits like body detoxification, blood pressure reduction, digestion improvement, and respiratory health improvement.

There you go. Now, you have the information you need. The only thing left now is to put this information into action, choose to follow through and adopt this DIET to make your brain, and subsequently your life, better. Make these foods a part of your food plan and draw the benefits from these ‘brain foods’.

This article is co-authored by Waseq Shaaz