Best Brain Healthy Foods To Help You Focus
Brain healthy foods are very beneficial for memory and concentration of people especially adults. Along with improving memory it also prevents the deterioration of the brain functions so that new cells can be generated. When you add these foods to your meal plan you can increase the chance of maintaining an active and healthy mind. Along with keeping your brain healthy, these foods also helps in replenishing the brain cells and protecting the brain cells from harmful free radicals.
Function of brain healthy foods
These foods provide nourishments for the neurotransmitters of the brain which are the messengers of the brain. The functions of these neurotransmitters are to send vital information especially while processing information. These foods also help in replacing melatonin that is responsible for maintaining brain health along with improving thought and reasoning. When you consume these foods you can prevent the production of cortisol which is a hormone responsible for causing stress. Stress can even cause memory lapse, depression and headaches and therefore it is very essential to include these foods to your daily diet to get all its benefits.
The different brain healthy foods
Oily fish – these fish are the rich source of essential fatty acids that cannot be produced by your body naturally and hence you will need to obtain it through diet. These fish are also a good source of omega-3 fats like DHA and EPA. Oily fish is beneficial for the general well being and healthy functions of the brain. The fish that provides you omega-3 include trout, salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, pilchards and kippers. If a person has low DHA level he/she is at higher risk of memory loss and developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Nuts and seeds – these are an excellent source of vitamin E as higher level of vitamin E ensures less cognitive decline when you grow older. The most important nuts and seeds that you should consume include almond butter, peanut butter, flax seeds, sesame seeds, cashews, peanuts, filberts, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, hazel nuts and walnuts.
Wholegrain – energy is very important for the proper functioning of your brain that is provided by wholegrain. Wholegrain also increases your ability to focus and concentrate more with the help of steady and adequate supply of energy in glucose form. Thus you should select wholegrain that is capable of releasing glucose slowly in your bloodstream so that you can become mentally alert throughout the day. The best option for a healthy brain is brown pasta, granary bread, wheat barn and brown cereals.
Avocados and blueberries – both these fruits are known to promote brain health and healthy blood flow. It also reduces the instances of hypertension and makes you mentally alert and active. Blueberries are very effective in delaying or improving short term memory loss.Tomatoes – it contains lycopene which is a very powerful antioxidant. It protects you against free radical damage that can results in dementia. It also protects you from memory loss and depression and make your more active and alert so that your brain functions properly.