Brain Food

Image by hyg-27

Eating certain foods is well-documented as being good for your brain. But did you know that you actually burn calories just by thinking? In fact, an active brain can burn an extra 100 calories per hour. No wonder we are so hungry after a long day of work!

“Feeding the brain” is not in the realm of thought, but rather of fact. For this reason, it is important to load our bodies with healthy and nutritious foods. Our brains, like our bodies, need nutrition to stay active and the more vitamins and nutrients that our foods contain, the more likely we are to perform at both our mental, and physical peak.

So what kind of foods are sure to give us that extra brain power (don't we all wish we had just a little bit more)?

Here are the top 7:
Apples: the healthy chemicals in apples actually help protect the brain from neurodegenerative diseases (those that cause the brain to wear down), such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Apples also help protect against damage by bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Berries: contain many anti-oxidative compounds (think of them as anti-rusting agents), that can help prevent various kinds of brain damage from free-radicals, ranging from memory loss to strokes.

Nuts: are extremely high in Vitamin E, which helps to decrease memory loss as we age. They are also full of healthy fats, which help the brain function normally. Walnuts and almonds are two of the very best.

Tumeric (the yellow spice found in Curries): contains a chemical called curcumin, which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities (inflammation is associated with dementia, strokes, and many other brain-related diseases).

Egg yolks: contain choline which is one of the most important nutrients to the brain – it is shown to help retain knowledge. And don’t fret about cholesterol: as long as you are eating a healthy diet, one egg (and do eat the entire egg, organic please!) a day won’t have any negative effect on your health with regard to cholesterol levels.

Sardines (and other fish rich in Omega-3s, such as salmon): are thought to maintain healthy brain function, as well as help our nerve cells communicate effectively with one another (positively impacting our memory and learning processes).

Oysters: rich in iron and zinc, help to keep your mind sharp and maintain your ability to concentrate
It’s no surprise that the healthier we eat the better we feel [physically].

Consider making a few small changes today - you never know what a little extra brain power might do for you!

`thanks to Jessica Kole