Foods That Make You Smarter

Do you know that there are certain foods that not only keep you healthy but also make you smarter? Here comes a list of brain-boosters that you should pack your platter with, for a better health and brain power.

Add on some carbohydrates

You can enrich your brain cells with some complex carbohydrates found in brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, beans, lentils that control a glucose supply to your brain. Glucose is extremely essential to charge your brain cells that enhance memory, better concentration, memory and knowledge.

Egg yolk

Do you know that the yolk of an egg is a true gem that can make you smarter and mentally stronger? The yolk of an egg is enriched with an essential nutrient known as choline that is involved in cognitive function and sharpens your memory. Choline is the precursor for synthesis of a neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which significantly boosts your mental focus. Recent researches are focusing on the effectiveness of whole eggs in treating Alzheimer’s disease. So, if you still believe that the egg whites are more beneficial, just forget it and include the whole egg to your platter.

Tea and Coffee

Tea is rich in antioxidants known as catechin that enhances the production of neurons in your brain. A fresh concoction of black or green tea contains caffeine that expands the blood vessels, thereby increasing the flow of blood to the brain, consequently boosting memory and concentration.

Not only tea a cup of coffee in the morning strongly enhances the brain power. Coffee is rich in a stimulant known as caffeine that blocks Adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, thereby increasing the stimulating effect. This increases concentration, memory focus, energy and several other facets of brain function. Moreover, consumption of coffee is also expected to lessen the risk of Alzheimer’s.

Oily fish

Oily fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Regularly eating oily fish or taking omega-3 supplements may prevent cognitive decline and dementia, and increased blood flow to the brain. DHA is also an essential nutrient for boosting mental development and also the ability to learn.

Latest researches are showing that oily fish consumption is provided with more energy, reduces weariness of the brain and mood swings and develops reaction times.

Green vegetables

Veggies like broccoli and spinach are enriched with vitamin K, C, beta-carotene that maintains brain power and strengthens cognitive skills. Broccoli also comprises of choline that boosts memory. Spinach is also known to cope up with cognitive shortfalls. Green leafy vegetables are a rich source of folate that enables memory recall and accelerates information processing.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are loaded with foliates, vitamin A and C that restores brain power and boosts memory. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, an antioxidant that is essential for brain development and maintaining cognitive abilities – it also prevents dementia.

Strawberries

Berries are a good source of an antioxidant, flavonoids that enhance memory and controls mood-swings. Greater consumption of strawberries enhances cognitive proficiencies in old-age adults. Berries are found to improve motor skills. Besides, the antioxidant properties present in strawberries can protect the brain from harmful oxidative processes.

Chocolate

Chocolates improve cognitive abilities. You can improve your memory and ability to think and judge if you eat chocolates at least once a week. Researchers have found that chocolates with at least 70% of cocoa effectively control advanced brain function. Chocolates also enhance the ability to perform more than one task at a time quite efficiently.

Walnuts

Walnuts beyond doubt are a power food which is loaded with all kinds of powerful nutrient that is extremely beneficial for enhancing brain power. Adding up of walnuts into your daily diet can improve critical thinking abilities memory intuition. Walnut has been found to be loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that can scavenge the free radicals that potentially damage the brain.

Apples

Apples are rich in type of antioxidant, catechins that effectively controls damage to brain from harmful chemicals. This fruit also comprises of quercetin, another antioxidant that has the ability to lessen the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Red apples are enriched in chemicals that protects against brain disorders. But the essential compounds are present mainly on the apple skin so make sure not to peel the skin of the apples and consume the whole fruit.

The post first appeared in KenFolios - Health. Be Informed be Healthy.