Food for Thought

‘One cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one has not dined well,’— this statement holds much truth in it. You often blame your act of forgetfulness on a “bad memory”. Otherwise you hold responsible your age and genetics for memory lapses, but the problem may be related to something as simple as what you eat.

Recent research suggests what you put into your mouth may affect your brainpower. Eating healthy by incorporating antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables and fish into your diet helps protect your brain cells and fights off age-related memory loss. Read ahead to learn how some memory boosting foods help your brain to keep functioning at its peak capacity.

Top ten memory boosters

1. Blueberries. Blueberries have been shown in numerous studies to do wonderful things for memory and the brain in general. Diets rich in berries, specifically blueberries enhance learning capacity. Kids really love eating them! 
2. Fishing time. You’re probably familiar with the heart healthy effects of omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oils. To get the positive brain boosting benefits of omega 3s, you’ll need to consume fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids at least three times a week. Fish that are high in omega 3′s are cold-water fish. 
3. Soy magic. Foods made from whole, organic soybeans like soymilk and tofu are rich in choline, lecithin, etc. These substances help your brain to work more efficiently and sharpen your memory.
4. Colour your plate. More evidence is accumulating that brain aging and some chronic brain diseases are a result of free radical damage to brain cells. Antioxidants help to offset this free radical damage, which may help to slow down the aging process and prevent cognitive decline. Brightly colored yellow, orange, red, purple and green fruits and vegetables are antioxidant rich. Let’s go for ‘orange’ with carrots, apricots, mango, papaya and oranges. Add ‘ red’ to your diet with cherries and tomatoes. The best antioxidant source of green vegetables are found in the dark green vegetables – spinach, kale, sprouts.
5. Drink for life. For optimal brain functioning, it’s important that you drink sufficient quantities of water. When you’re dehydrated, your nerve cells can’t operate efficiently and your brain function is diminished. Water is fundamental to all life processes and the brain is no exception. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your brain active and quick.
6. Nutty affair. Research shows that nuts and seeds just might boost your brainpower and balance your moods. Everything from the most common nuts — such as walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds — to the more exotic seeds and nuts can clear up that “brain fog” and enable you to think clearer and be happier than you ever imagined.
7. Whole grains. The best brain stimulators are grains like whole wheat, wheat germ that contains a high percentage of folate. Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain breads and cereals, barley and popcorn boost your blood flow to the brain. They do a lot of good to your memory. 
8. Coffee and tea. Caffeine boosts memory. Coffee and tea (black or green) are good for your memory. Caffeine proved to protect intellectual skills in older women. So drink more to score over life.
9. Eat an egg. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and are also rich in choline, an essential nutrient vital for the creation of memory stem cells. Enjoy this delicious food to boost your brainpower.
10. Grape juice. Recently, adults have been recognizing the benefits of grape juice for heart health. New research shows grape juice significantly helps to improve short-term memory. This summer sip a lot of grape juice with delight and pleasure.

In addition to eating well, be sure to get plenty of rest, limit stress and be physically active everyday. Take up a hobby, play crossword, learn a new language and do something off beat to stimulate your grey cells.

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