Your brain is the control center of your body and helps you to think, feel, and move. Therefore, it is essential to boost your brain function and get active. Last week, we have already spoken about how art can increase your brain and memory functions. This week, let’s take a look at different types of food that can enhance your brain function and are delicious at the same time.
Food that boosts your brain
The food that you are eating plays an essential role in keeping your brain healthy and active and can also boost memory and concentration. This is why we have collected five foods that can help you increase your brain function.
1. Oily Fish
Integrating oily fish (or also known as fatty fish) in your diet gives you a great resource of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps to build membranes around your body and brain cells and can improve the structure of your neurons. Further, researchers have found that fatty fish also increases blood flow in the brain due to omega-3 levels and enhances cognition. Examples of fatty fish are salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, or sardines.
2. Dark chocolate
Cocoa, which is the main ingredient in dark chocolate, contains flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant. Those are important for our brain health, as it is very susceptible to oxidative stress, which can be linked to cognitive decline in elderly people.
3. Berries
Similar to dark chocolate, a lot of berries are also rich on flavonoid antioxidants. Researchers have found that berries may therefore be beneficial for our brain health. Antioxidants help to reduce inflammation and stress, can improve communication between brain cells, supports brain cells to form new connections, and may reduce age-related memory decline. Berries that are especially beneficial are strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, mulberries, and blackcurrants.
4. Nuts and seeds
Including nuts and seeds in your diet can be good for your brain function, as those foods, similar to fatty fish, also includes omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Researchers have found a link between the intake of nuts and seeds and increased brain functions. These include sunflower seeds, almonds, and hazelnuts.
5. Avocados
Avocados are a source of healthy unsaturated fat, such as almonds, cashews, peanuts, chia seeds, soybeans, or fish, which is not only healthy for our body but also support our brain. By eating monounsaturated fats may reduce your blood pressure, and high blood pressure may be linked to cognitive decline.
Do you want to try out different methods to stimulate your brain function? Sign up for our Mindmate app and enjoy brain games to improve your memory, exercises, and lifestyle hacks that can benefit your cognitive function.
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