Did you know there are certain foods you can eat to make your brain function better? It’s true. Just like every other organ in your body your brain needs proper nutrition to function at peak levels.
There is a wide list of factors to consider when deciding if a food is brainy enough. Foods that are good for your brain can improve your mood, make you more motivated and improve your overall mental performance.
We all know a diet that is high in fat is bad for us. Not only does it wreak havoc on our physical body it can also be a cause of depression and aggression. However, when you really pay attention to the types of fats you are consuming fats can be very beneficial.
Top brain food contains fatty acids called Omega 3. Diets that are laden with the wrong kind of fat have been proven to undermine intelligence. In contrast people who consume good fats have higher intelligence.
These good for you Omega 3 fatty acids are found predominantly in fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. There are also dairy products, drinks such as green tea and beans that can be beneficial to your brain.
Here are a few of the most common in each category.
Fish – The two best brain food fish are salmon and tuna. These two species are especially high in the good kind of fat. One thing to consider with fish however is that because of mercury content you should eat these types of fish just a few times week.
Nuts – Many nuts including cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and peanuts can be food for your brain. Your brain loves nuts and seeds and gets a lot from them. They are chocked full of things to keep your brain feeling young and sharp.
Fruits – When it comes to fruit your top brain health choices are blueberries, cherries, acai berries and cranberries. Fruits that are high in antioxidants provide great nutrition for the brain.
Vegetables – The top brain vegetables are brussel sprouts, eggplant and peas. Tomatoes, spinach and cauliflower are also solid choices for giving your brain a little extra nutrition.
Beyond the given examples there are many other foods that offer you good nutrition for your brain health. The idea is to try to eat at least one of them daily if not more. The other healthy thing you can do for your brain is whenever possibly avoid bad fats. These fats make your brain lazy and your body unhealthy.
Thomas Manner is a specialist in neuroscience and the brain training field in general.