Superfoods For Brain Health
Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding a disease or fighting it.
The most common query that I get from my clients, students and followers is, does food help in brain development?.............. and my answer to them always ends up in a quote. “Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding a disease or fighting it.”
Today, our lives are busy and are filled with toxins, pollution, chemical substances, and insecticides that we consume daily via processed foods. Lives are so busy and strictly scheduled that it causes stress, which reduces blood flow to the brain, causing poor memory. Lack of sleep, no exercise and working without movement take a toll on our body, especially our brain health.
The food you eat is the fuel on which your brain works. Our brain works 24/7, even while we sleep, regulating our entire nervous system and passing signals and instructions from one part of our body to the other. Brain-boosting foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourish the brain and protect it from oxidative stress and ageing. Good nutrition can help your mind as well as your body.
Foods that include the following should be part of our diets
- Antioxidants (prevent or delay cell damage)
- Vitamin B
- Healthy fats
- Omega fatty acids should be consumed daily to improve our brain health.
Nuts are excellent sources of protein and healthy fats, and one nut in particular might also improve memory. Walnuts, Flax Seeds, and Pumpkin Seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Foods rich in ALA and other Omega-3 fatty acids are great for lowering blood pressure and cleaning arteries. That's good for both the heart and brain.
Flavonoids are the natural plant pigments that give berries their brilliant hues- research suggests they also help improve memory. These flavonoids are present in berries and can be consumed as snacks. Dark chocolate is another food which is great for our brain health. It is known to reduce sugar cravings, so it works great when combined with cornflakes or muesli for breakfast for a nutritious kick-start to the day.
Some foods which I generally have and recommend to my patients are -
- True Elements Walnuts
- True Elements Flax Seeds
- True Elements Blueberries dried
- True Elements Dark Chocolate Granola
- True Elements Dark Chocolate Muesli
- True Elements Sunflower Seeds
- True Elements Californian Almonds
- True Elements Chia Seeds
- True Elements Rolled Oats.
True Elements products do not have any preservatives and are fresh and delicious with healthy ingredients. The calories are in check as the products are baked and not fried. Calorie check is majorly kept in mind so one can enjoy foods without stress at the back of our mind. Even for healthy products, portion size should be controlled.
The new range of Muesli with berries, Baked nuts, and Dark chocolate granolas are perfect pre-workout snacks.
Thus consuming brain-boosting foods not only provides many benefits for the entire body but also improves our mental health overall.
Along with a good diet is it just as important to have a good sleep at least 7 hours, drink lots of water chia seeds can be added to it, and exercise regularly for good mental health.
Authored By: Sana Nachan
Nutritionist & Diet consultant .
HOD- Food & Nutrition Department
Aqsa Women’s Degree College