Are you eating the right foods to feed your brain? Brain health is very dependent on a healthy diet. This is true for growing kids and aging adults as well. The brain represents about 2% of an adult’s weight, but it uses 20% of the energy produced by the body. If the energy supply is not adequate to fuel this energy, people may experience a variety of symptoms, including memory or concentration loss, and fatigue.
An appropriate diet is especially important for the brain health of adolescents. During teenage years, the body and the brain undergo many physical changes. What kind of food a teen eats, how much they eat, and when they eat can affect a teen’ attention span, the ability to focus, and memory capabilities. This translates into how well a student learns and performs in school.
Doctors are finding that what's good for the heart may also be good for the brain. Protecting the blood vessels by following a heart-healthy diet also protects the brain. Many of the same cardiovascular risk factors have been shown to be risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Eating a heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated fat not only reduces the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, but also can also protect your brain cells and prevent memory loss. Eating high-quality foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress.
What types of foods feed our brain the best? Below is a suggested list of brain healthy foods:
• Extra virgin olive oil: This is a healthy source of fat in the diet and can help reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Some studies have linked olive oil with a lower risk of ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Oily fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel: This is an excellent source of omega-3, which your brain needs to stay healthy.
• Berries and other deep-colored fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, spinach, beetroot, and beans: These foods are high in antioxidants, which help guard against disease by protecting cells in the body and brain from damage.
• Foods containing ‘good fats’: Foods containing polyunsaturated fatty acids like nuts, seeds, fish, leafy green vegetables, and monounsaturated fatty acids found in avocados and nuts may reduce your risk of both depression and dementia.
• Dark chocolate: It contains high levels of antioxidants, although it is also high in sugar and fat. One small piece of dark chocolate per day is enough to get the antioxidant benefit. Green tea is another source of antioxidants.
By the same token, there are foods we should avoid for good brain health. Salty foods, sugary foods and drinks, processed foods, and foods containing trans fats are all bad for our body and our brain health. Let’s all eat a more healthy diet, it’s more than food for thought!
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