Real Foods That Help Brain Health

Nutritional scientists have developed methods to determine the degree of potency of antioxidants in a variety of foods and what antioxidant effects may help support brain health with age. Foods such as blueberries, broccoli, strawberries, and tomatoes have been shown to have relatively high amounts of antioxidants.

Some foods are more beneficial for your brain health than others. Below are the top five brain foods that should be eaten daily to provide the essential nutrients to both the body and the mind.

Blueberries

Blueberries may be effective in reversing age-related neuronal deficits, and subsequent behavioral manifestations and help in managing healthy aging of the brain. Research suggests the polyphenolic content found in blueberries enhances the beneficial effects through their ability to lower inflammation and oxidative stress and directly by altering the signaling pathways involved in neuronal communication.

Overall, the consumption of blueberries may help protect against age-related deficits in cognitive and motor function.

A recent clinical trial showed daily consumption of 6-9 ml of blueberry juice per kilogram of body weight for 12 weeks had some positive results. Participants with mild cognitive impairment showed an improvement in cognitive function, including improved learning, recollection of words, and reduced depressive symptoms.

Salmon

Salmon is one of the most nourishing brain-loving foods of all time. It’s loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your brain in tip-top shape. Say goodbye to brain fog and hello to improved memory. If you have children, feeding them oily fish such as salmon can help improve their focus and learning.

Dark Chocolate

Before you go stocking up on Lindt balls and Hershey’s Kisses, not all chocolate is created equally. Stick to dark chocolate, which is packed with flavanols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can help improve blood flow to the brain. To support your brain health, choose organic or minimally processed dark chocolate with a minimum of 70% cocoa solids over milk and white chocolate.

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