Brain Foods, Healthy Brain Boosters
The human brain is one of the most amazing creations in the history of our world. It is capable of some truly amazing things and keeping it fit and healthy is absolutely essential. The human brain is the human equivalent of a CPU on a computer. It is the core control centre of the human body and is responsible for virtually every single physiological process that we carry out every single day. Sadly, like every other major organ in the human body, the brain does begin to deteriorate as we grow older. That does not mean however, that we should simply sit back and wait for old age to destroy our brains completely. There are a number of things we can do to keep the brain fit and healthy as we age, which is why we’re looking at brain foods today. In today’s article we’re going to look at some of the best foods when it comes to brain health and function.
Coffee – Okay, first off, it’s important that you understand that too much coffee is bad for you and could damage your health. In moderation however, coffee is actually very beneficial. You see, coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. The stimulating effects of caffeine will promote mental clarity and focus. Furthermore, caffeine also increases the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which help you to feel good and improve your mood. The antioxidants found in coffee have also been found to help potentially prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Blueberries – Blueberries are considered to be a superfood, which is primarily because of their high antioxidant contents. Blueberries contain plant-based compounds known as anthocyanins which provide antioxidant-like benefits and anti-inflammatory benefits. Studies have also found that the antioxidants found in blueberries may accumulate in the brain and promote increased rates of communication between your brain cells. In animals with similar brains to ourselves, blueberries have also been found to improve short and long-term memory and improve concentration levels.
Oily fish – Oily fish such as sardines, salmon, and mackerel, is sometimes known as brain food. This is because of the healthy fats found in these fish. Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Why is this so beneficial? Well, because your brain is made up of around 60% fat. Of that 60%, roughly 30% is made up of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are used by the brain to synthesize nerve cells and brain cells, and obviously the more that can be produced, the healthier your brain will be as a result. Omega-3 fatty acids also have been found to suppress age-related cognitive decline, and they can help to elevate your mood and fight and prevent mental health issues such as depression.
Turmeric – It turns out that this golden root is not only great for making curries, it is also ideal for people looking to improve their brain health and function. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is the main active compound in this root. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, so it can easily enter the brain and start improving brain cell health. It also provides very potent anti-inflammatory benefits.