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Everybody has heard it before:
You are what you eat. This statement has been around since food itself, and it’s as true today as the day it was coined. Our dietary choices directly impact the way our body systems and organs function, and as much as we can consume things that increase our body’s productivity, we can also eat things that gum up the processes that allow us to function as human beings. Our brain is a perfect example of this, because it is directly connected to nearly every system and organ we have, and it is crucial that we maintain brain health as we age.
But what specific food items are good or bad for our brain? Read on for some healthy tips:
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Brain-Smart Foods
There is a long list of brain-enriching foods available, but the important thing to remember is to stick with natural, close-to-the-source items, and include as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
- Oily, Fatty Fish – Across the board, fish is one of the main recommendations for a functioning brain. Their omega-3 fatty acids have a direct correlation on boosting your brain and have been demonstrated to help with memory and concentration.
- Nuts and Seeds – These are also examples of good, healthy fats that stimulate brain functionality and keep the neural pathways lubricated.
- Berries – Any food high in antioxidants will be helpful for our heads. Berries are classically rich in antioxidants and can help rejuvenate brain cells by keeping them oxygenated.
Brain-Dead Foods
On the flip side, there are foods you can consume that throw the brain off-balance for one reason or another. A good rule of thumb is the more processed a food is, the less of it we should consume.
- Excess Sugar or Sugar Substitutes – Too much sugar is poison to our brains, and the fake sugars that are abundant are also major no-no’s. There are no nutrients to pace the digestion, and the brain gets flooded with unhealthy chemicals.
- Trans Fats or Fried Foods – We learned that good fats are beneficial to our minds earlier, but there is a long list of BAD fats that are downright detrimental. Steer clear of trans-fats overall, and limit your fried food intake.
- Highly Processed Foods – Again, there is little to no nutritional value to food that has been stripped of its benefits through processing.
Incidentally, a high-fat diet is directly connected to other risks, such as obesity, heart conditions and various forms of cancer. Trans fats and refined sugar are also linked to increased body weight and general health maladies associated with inflammation. And speaking of sugars, it’s quite well-documented that all the refined sugars in our diets today can cause elevated blood pressure and blood sugar, and drastic changes in temperament and moods. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to adopt a few of these tips for brain AND overall wellness.
