If you have ever had problems concentrating, you know how extremely
frustrating it is to get anything done. As we age, it seems to be more
and more difficult to keep our thoughts collected or even remember where
we put our keys. This may be a part of the aging process to some
degree, but diet and lifestyle certainly has a lot to do with it as
well. Luckily, there are several brain foods that you can include in
your daily diet to boost cognitive function, boost concentration, and
slow down brain decline.
Here are 7 foods to eat for better cognition, concentration, and for overall brain preservation.
1. Brain Foods – Walnuts
Interestingly enough, walnuts actually resemble small brains. Perhaps this is a clue that we should eat them. A study conducted in the 2007 found that a diet including more than 2% walnuts was able to reverse brain aging, including
age related motor and cognitive defects. Walnuts are rich in
antioxidants which fight against free radical damage to the brain cells’
DNA.
2. and 3. Coffee and Dark Chocolate
While your average coffee from the local coffee shop might contain all
sorts of sugars and additions not worth the health risks, a free-trade
organic coffee can do great things for your focus and brain power. A cup
or two of coffee first thing in the morning will wake up your brain and
allow you to focus and concentrate. The caffeine found in chocolate
does the same thing, in addition to harnessing rich, brain-protecting
antioxidants. It is wise, however, not to over indulge.
4. Berries
Berries are undoubtedly one of the best anti aging foods around. These
little fruit gems protect the brain from oxidative stress while
decreasing the effects of age related conditions such as dementia and
Alzheimer’s. In addition to delaying memory decline by up to 2.5 years in one study, blueberries have been found to improve learning capacity and motor skills.
5. Spinach
Popeye knew what he was doing when he ate his spinach. Spinach is a dark
green leafy vegetable that is loaded with vitamin E, which has been
shown to improve cognitive function. Vitamin E helps increases brain
tissue and released dopamine which controls information flow in the
brain. Further spinach contains lutein, an antioxidant that could
protect against cognitive decline.
6. Carrots
While it’s known carrots are great for vision, did you also know that
they are also great for the brain? Helping to reduce inflammation and
restore memory, the compound found in carrots, known as luteolin, appears to reduce
age-related memory loss and boost overall brain health. Other foods
that are also high in luteolin include olive oil, celery, rosemary, and
peppers.
7. Fish
The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish give our brain a huge boost. Consuming fish weekly can reduce the risk of stroke and dementia while slowing down mental decline. Research also indicates that vital fatty acids help to keep memory sharp as we age.
A Hearty Breakfast
It’s important to know that eating breakfast may help with brain
preservation. Researchers warn that skipping breakfast can cause a
tremendous strain on the brain. Children who eat a well-rounded
breakfast have scored better on tests than those that skip this
incredibly important meal. Try having some fresh fruit or high-fiber
whole grains like oatmeal and bran. High calorie breakfasts laden with
sugar and fat tend to detract from concentration.
Eating Light
Combining these healthy foods into a varied diet will help your brain
from becoming sluggish. Eating healthful whole foods (preferably
organic), getting enough sleep, exercising daily and managing stress all
help with concentration and cognitive function.
For more, check out some other brain-boosting foods.
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