Give holiday makers food for the brain
Apr 23, 2010
WHAT you eat can affect how well you study. It’s true; a diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables does wonders for your brain power.
WHAT you eat can affect how well you study. It’s true; a diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables does wonders for your brain power.
1. Fish: Fish is the best source of Omega-3 fatty acids, the primary components of the brain, retina and other nerve tissue. Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids boost energy, enhance learning ability, improve problem-solving skills, and boost memory power and enhance communication between brain cells. There is plenty of fish in markets. You can also get fish fillet from supermarkets at pocket-friendly prices.
2. Soy: Foods made from whole, organic soybeans like soy milk and tofu are rich in choline, lecithin and isoflavones. Choline positively impact brain development in addition to slowing memory loss, lecithin helps in preventing deposits of plaque in the brain, and isoflavones help improve cognitive function, category fluency, logical memory, spatial cognition and memory recall.
3. Fruits: Eat plenty of fruits. Avocados are especially potent in increasing blood flow to the brain because of their mono-unsaturated fat content. Other beneficial fruits that have a positive impact on your brain and help you recall information quickly include watermelon, tomatoes, pineapples, oranges, apples and grapes.5. 4. Vegetables: Leafy green vegetables like cabbages, broccoli, cauliflowers, spinach help retain memory. Other vegetables that are good in boosting brain power are onions, red peppers, lettuce, carrots, okra and mushrooms.
6. Chocolate: Chocolate is not only delicious, it’s also beneficial to your brain and can help enhance your mood. Natural stimulants boost the production of endorphins that improve focus and concentration. Milk chocolate has been shown to improve verbal and visual memory and boost impulse control and reaction time. Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols that boost blood supply to the brain and help improve cognitive skills.
7. Nuts: Nuts are rich in Vitamins E and B6, folate, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants, these small food items boost your brain power and improve your mood. The whole nutty family of cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts and pecans brings some benefit to your brain.
8. Seeds: Flaxseeds are a rich source of memory-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids. Roasted pumpkin seeds contain relaxing tryptophan and dry sunflower seeds offer thiamine, a form of Vitamin B that improves memory and cognitive functions.
9. Whole grains: The best brain stimulating foods are grains like whole wheat, wheat germ and bran that contain a high percentage of folate. Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, barley and popcorn boost your blood flow to the brain. Wholegrain breads and cereals contain Vitamin B6 while wheat germ is rich in memory-improving thiamine.
10. Pulses and beans: The brain is fueled by glucose, and as it does not produce its own, the supply has to be kept steady from other sources.
Rich in antioxidants, iron and other nutrients, beans help stabilise blood sugar levels. Peas, lentils, green beans, lima beans, black beans, kidney beans, and a variety of legumes help energize the brain.
1. Fish: Fish is the best source of Omega-3 fatty acids, the primary components of the brain, retina and other nerve tissue. Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids boost energy, enhance learning ability, improve problem-solving skills, and boost memory power and enhance communication between brain cells. There is plenty of fish in markets. You can also get fish fillet from supermarkets at pocket-friendly prices.
2. Soy: Foods made from whole, organic soybeans like soy milk and tofu are rich in choline, lecithin and isoflavones. Choline positively impact brain development in addition to slowing memory loss, lecithin helps in preventing deposits of plaque in the brain, and isoflavones help improve cognitive function, category fluency, logical memory, spatial cognition and memory recall.
3. Fruits: Eat plenty of fruits. Avocados are especially potent in increasing blood flow to the brain because of their mono-unsaturated fat content. Other beneficial fruits that have a positive impact on your brain and help you recall information quickly include watermelon, tomatoes, pineapples, oranges, apples and grapes.5. 4. Vegetables: Leafy green vegetables like cabbages, broccoli, cauliflowers, spinach help retain memory. Other vegetables that are good in boosting brain power are onions, red peppers, lettuce, carrots, okra and mushrooms.
6. Chocolate: Chocolate is not only delicious, it’s also beneficial to your brain and can help enhance your mood. Natural stimulants boost the production of endorphins that improve focus and concentration. Milk chocolate has been shown to improve verbal and visual memory and boost impulse control and reaction time. Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols that boost blood supply to the brain and help improve cognitive skills.
7. Nuts: Nuts are rich in Vitamins E and B6, folate, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants, these small food items boost your brain power and improve your mood. The whole nutty family of cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts and pecans brings some benefit to your brain.
8. Seeds: Flaxseeds are a rich source of memory-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids. Roasted pumpkin seeds contain relaxing tryptophan and dry sunflower seeds offer thiamine, a form of Vitamin B that improves memory and cognitive functions.
9. Whole grains: The best brain stimulating foods are grains like whole wheat, wheat germ and bran that contain a high percentage of folate. Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, barley and popcorn boost your blood flow to the brain. Wholegrain breads and cereals contain Vitamin B6 while wheat germ is rich in memory-improving thiamine.
10. Pulses and beans: The brain is fueled by glucose, and as it does not produce its own, the supply has to be kept steady from other sources.
Rich in antioxidants, iron and other nutrients, beans help stabilise blood sugar levels. Peas, lentils, green beans, lima beans, black beans, kidney beans, and a variety of legumes help energize the brain.