7 Foods To Boost Your Brain Health And Function
The foods we eat play a role in keeping our brain healthy and can impact the structure of the brain. Eating a fresh whole food diet with good quality protein, plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and good fats can help improve our memory and concentration. It’s important to keep your brain functioning at an optimal level especially as we get older as our cognitive function can decline.
Foods to help boost your brain health and function
There are many different foods to help boost your brain health and function. Here are 7:
1. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are a rich source of Omega 3s, a major building block of the brain. Omega 3s play a role in sharpening the memory and improving the mood, as well as protecting your brain against decline.
2. Broccoli
Your mum was right, eating lots of broccoli is good for you! Broccoli is high in vitamin K and choline. These nutrients help to enhance cognitive function and keep the brain and memory sharp.
3. Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are important for brain health, as they protect the brain from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to age-related cognitive decline and brain diseases.
4. Eggs
Eggs are a rich source of B6, B12, folate, and choline. All of these nutrients help with proper brain development and function as well as keeping the brain in sharp working order.
5. Coffee
If you are like me, you love your morning coffee! The caffeine in coffee helps to increase alertness and sharpen concentration. Coffee is also high in antioxidants. However, it is important to stick to 1-2 coffees a day as excessive consumption can lead to side effects.
6. Nuts
Nuts contain a host of nutrients to help your brain and memory. They including vitamin E, healthy fats and antioxidants. Almonds, hazelnuts and pine nuts are a good source of Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant which helps to protect against oxidative stress in the brain and body. Add some nuts to your afternoon snack.
7. Blueberries
Blueberries are packed full of antioxidants. Antioxidants act against both oxidative stress and inflammation helping to improve memory and delay aging of the brain.
The foods we eat can have a big impact on the structure and health of our brains. Eating a healthy diet as well as getting plenty of sleep, exercising, staying hydrated, reducing stress and alcohol intake can help optimize brain function.
Looking for help with your food choices?
Sometimes making the right food choices can be overwhelming, I totally get that! If you are looking for more support or you just want to make the switch to eating more foods to help boost your brain health and function, then get in touch to see how I can help. Feel free to BOOK YOUR FREE 10 MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL HERE
Pam Hird helps women and men prioritise their health and wellbeing.
As a naturopath, nutritionist and personal trainer she helps them take control of their mental health and various health conditions through natural medicine and healthy lifestyle changes.
She gives realistic ways to help create a happier and healthier life.
You can meet Pam in her clinic in Brighton (Brisbane North) in Australia, for online/phone consultations, or catch her on Instagram and Facebook (links in footer below).