Top 12 Health Foods For Improving Brainpower, Memory And Attention

You must have heard that you are what you eat a number of times. The food you consume has a huge impact on your body and overall health, so you must pay attention to what you eat in order to take care of your body and lead a truly healthy lifestyle.

The food you eat doesn’t affect your physical health only, but your mental health as well. Just as your heart, your muscles and your bones need specific nutrients in order to function properly, and so does your brain.

There are many different foods rich in nutrients that can promote the health, functionality and vitality of your brain, so take a look at what some of the best ones and make sure you include them in your diet.

12 Foods For Improving Brainpower

Blueberries

Blueberries have been considered one of the best superfoods for a very long time. They are rich in antioxidants that protect the brain from oxidation and help with reducing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. They reduce inflammation and, thus, help with all brain degenerative disorders.

Blueberries have also been proven to improve or delay short term memory loss. Hence, they greatly help with retaining new information more easily and improving the ability to learn.

Bananas

Bananas can provide you with a lot of nutrients that can not only protect your brain, but also contribute to your overall health. They are rich in fiber and can increase your energy levels, as well as relieve your stress and make you feel calm due to amino acids that produce serotonin.

Bananas also contain magnesium that helps improve focus, as well as Vitamin B6 that helps improve cognitive functions.

Apples

Apples contain quercetin, an antioxidant that protects brain cells and defends them from radical attacks. This antioxidant, found mostly in the apple skin, helps improve mental functions and prevents cognitive decline.

Avocado

Avocado is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that protect the brain cells and keep the membranes of the cells flexible. Avocado oil is also extremely healthy, as it is proven to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in two very powerful carotenoids that protect the brain and eliminate free radicals. Those are beta-carotene and lycopene, which are antioxidants that are extremely important for improving the cognitive function of the brain.

Broccoli

Broccoli is also incredibly healthy, as it is contains the phytoestrogen compound lignans that can improve cognitive skills. It is rich in glucosinolates, which is a family of compounds that help with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease by keeping the level of acetylcholine high. This neurotransmitter helps keep your memory sharp.

Broccoli also contains sulforaphane, which helps with detoxification and inflammation. It also protects against free radicals and is rich in Vitamin K that enhances cognitive function and boosts brainpower.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in antioxidants that protect the brain and it can greatly help with reducing cognitive decline. It is also rich in Vitamin K and lutein, as well as folate, which helps synthesize the B Vitamins that improve memory.

Spinach also contains L-tyrosine, which is an amino acid that is vital for synthesizing dopamine and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters that help your brain maintain focus and alertness.

Kale

Kale is rich in iron, potassium, the vitamins A, C, K and B, as well as L-tyrosine, all of which improve brain function and prevent cognitive diseases. It also contains the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, ALA, which helps boost cognitive functions.

Kale is definitely a leafy green that has the highest nutrient density of all the healthy foods, what with all the vitamins, fiber, minerals, antioxidants and various bioactive compounds it contains.

Sage

Both fresh sage and its essential oil are very beneficial to the brain, as they can improve memory function and boost brainpower. Hence, sage prevents decline in memory function and prevents cellular damage.

Turmeric

Turmeric is very effective not only in reducing inflammation, but also in improving cognitive functions. Apart from antioxidants, it contains curcumin, which greatly helps with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It also improves damage caused by strokes and contains aromatic-turmerone, a compound that induces the neural stem cell proliferation by up to 80%.

Nuts

Nuts are one of the best sources of Vitamin E, which prevents cognitive decline, enhances brain power and improves memory.

Almonds are very healthy for the brain, but walnuts are definitely the top brain-food. They are especially rich in Vitamin E, but they also contain fiber, manganese, copper and various omega-3 acids, especially DHA that protects the brain and improves its function.

Green Tea

Yes, it’s a drink, but it definitely deserves its spot on the list of brain boosters. Green tea is excellent for the brain, because it contains antioxidants and polyphenols that protect the brain. It also contains theanine and catechins, which prevent memory decline.

Although it contains caffeine that can keep you alert, its amino acid can provide you with relaxation and make you feel calm.

Speaking of caffeine, it can boost your brain function by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that induces sleep. Therefore, include green tea in your everyday diet, but don’t forget about the coffee as well.

There are plenty of healthy reasons to keep drinking coffee and improving your brain function is certainly one of them.

Final Words

Taking care of your brain should absolutely be one of your top priorities regarding your health. Therefore, make sure you include all of these healthy foods (and drinks) in your everyday diet and you can be certain that you will lead a happy and healthy lifestyle.