I’m pretty sure there`s a meal or two you simply cannot resist digging into. Sometimes, you even go distances just to get a serving of that food. Remember visiting an old nagging aunt just because she makes your favorite lasagna? I sure remember embarking on some ridiculous journeys just because my favorite food was at the other end. Now, guess what! Best foods are not just for humans. As unbelievable as it may sound, the different organs in your body also have foods that they simply cannot resist. These foods provide them with the essential nutrients they need to function effectively. One of such organs is your brain.
The brain is seen as one of the most important organs in your body because it controls nearly all the major body functions; especially those that are considered with how your nerves work. Knowing how important it is for your brain to stay healthy, it is important that you do all you can to ensure that this organ stays happy. How do you feel when your best food is placed in front of you? Happy? Excited? Well, it`s the same with your brain! A simple way to ensure that your brain remains healthy and active is to feed it with its favorite food. Here are seven simple meals your brain simply cannot resist!
Let’s Talk Fish!
I’m sure you must have heard that eating fish has a number of benefits. Here is one more reason you should not miss a piece of fish in your next bite. Whether boiled, grilled or fried, fish is simply one of the foods your brain can`t say no to. This is because it contains a number of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the effective functioning of your brain.
Fatty fish has been identified by nutritionists as the best fish for your brain. This includes salmons, trout, and sardines which are fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acid. This is because omega-3 serves as the building block of your brain’s nerve cells. These cells are the ones responsible for your ability to learn and memorize well enough. In fact, nearly 60% of your brain is fat and omega-3 serves as the building block for nearly 50% of that fat.
Apart from this, there are other benefits of eating fatty fish. The omega-3 in fatty fish helps to slow down mental decline associated with aging. You are likely never to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease if you eat fatty fish. In addition, it reduces your risk of depression, poor mental health, and memory.
Want to have more brain grey matter? You should eat more of fatty fish. Studies show that persons who eat fatty fish; especially when it is baked or broiled develop more grey matter than persons who do not. In fact, they are even better decision makers as grey matter contains the nerve cells that help you make decisions. If your boss has been complaining about your poor decision-making skills at work, it is best you never miss fatty fish in your meals.
What about a Cup of Coffee?
Although there are many myths surrounding just how beneficial coffee is to the human health, coffee is certainly great for the brain. Specifically, the caffeine and anti-oxidants you find in coffee are what make it an A-list food for your brain. Caffeine helps your brain to remain alert. Are you finding it difficult to pay attention to a class or a meeting? Coffee is here for you. The caffeine in coffee boosts your brain’s concentration senses so that you can pay maximum attention to the things that matter to you.
In addition, caffeine brightens your mood. It improves the secretion of your body’s feel-good hormones so that you do not have to waste a single moment on the wrong side of your mood. If you suffer from negative mood swings, you may just want to take more coffee. Caffeine increases the secretion of serotonin and this helps you stay happy and bright.
The antioxidants contained in coffee help to slow down your brain’s aging process. In addition, coffee prevents the degeneration of the brain which can lead to a poor coordination of neurological functions. The breakdown of your body’s neurons can lead to a number of medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Talking about Chocolates
Of course, we love chocolates. In fact, many of us just eat them for the fun of it. But, do you know that your brain smiles anytime you melt a bar of chocolate in your mouth? Especially the dark ones!
Dark chocolates contain a number of elements that help to boost your brain and enhance its functions. Some of these include flavonoids and other antioxidants.
The flavonoids contained in dark chocolate help to improve your brain’s learning and researching capacity. It also prevents memory loss and slows down the aging of your brain.
In addition, dark chocolates make you feel good. Apart from how great they taste, the compounds contained in dark chocolates are certified mood boosters. In fact, they help your body produce positive hormones that help to make you feel positive and also reduce depression.
You Should Have some Nuts!
Walnuts, cashews, and peanuts are great sources of vitamin E that are absolutely essential for your brain’s proper functioning. Vitamin E improves your cognitive health and prevents rapid aging of the brain. In addition, vitamin E acts as a sort of anti-virus by trapping those tiny free radicals that eat up and damage your brain cells.
Walnuts improve communication among your brain cells and neurons. They also help to sharpen your memory and protect you from a number of neurodegenerative diseases.
Blueberries
Blueberries are simply amazing for your brain health. They are packed with a number of antioxidants that help to reduce oxidative stress in the brain. It also helps medical conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
People who eat blueberries are more likely to have improved brain activity, better memory, and a more efficient cognitive performance. Blueberries also improve your brain’s coordination of activities; especially its coordination of neurological activities.
Avocados
This buttery fruit contains a whole lot of monounsaturated fat that helps to improve your brain’s health. Specifically, it ensures that the blood flow to your brain is healthy. It also reduces your blood pressure and consequently, your risk of having hypertension or stroke. Lower blood pressure means better brain cognitive functions and a better brain health.
Oranges
The good news is that oranges can give you all the vitamin C that your body needs to stay healthy. Oranges also contain flavonoids that help to improve your memory and the brain’s coordination of activities.
The Vitamin C in oranges helps to prevent mental decline and other mentally degenerative illnesses that accompany old age. Vitamin C also helps to fight off free radicals that can damage the brain.
Drinking just a glass of natural orange juice can boost cognitive functions in the elderly by a great percentage.
Final Words…
Keeping your brain healthy is definitely a big deal! Remember that a healthy brain performs more effectively. It is important that you feed the brain with what is right for it in order to ensure that it functions better. Next time you have a plate of delicious food in front of you, ensure that it`s one of your brain`s favorites.
