6 Foods to Maintain an Active Brain
How’s your memory? Is it hard to concentrate? Do you have an active brain?
If you feel like your lifestyle habits are unhealthy and your brain might need a better way to obtain more energy and nourishment, then look no further. In this article, we’ll provide you some simple nutrition guidelines for a healthy, active brain.
The importance of diet for brain health
First of all, it’s important to remember an important fact about the brain. The brain is one of the organs that requires the most energy, almost 20% of your daily needs.
That that’s why you must not neglect it and should focus on consuming foods that will aid its functions. You should also provide your brain with proper nourishment so that its functions are not adversely affected.
A clear example of how many fail to adequately nourish the brain is when they leave home in the morning without eating breakfast.
Skipping breakfast or not eating correctly, in general, can make it difficult for you to concentrate, and even cause you to get a headache.
In addition, you should take into account the foods that help our brain be more active, healthy, and young.
Do you want to know what they are?
Let’s take a look!
Healthy foods for an active brain
1. Oatmeal
Do you like oatmeal? It’s great for your brain and you can eat it any way you like, from its natural form to healthy oatmeal water.
Oatmeal has many proteins and amino acids that are great for the brain along with:
- Unsaturated fats
- Vitamins B1 and B3
- Folic acid
- Vitamin E
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
Plus, in addition to improving your brain function and memory, it’s also excellent for your heart health.
2. Bananas
How many bananas do you have at home right now? You should never be without them.
Bananas are rich in glucose, which is essential for providing energy to our brain. They also contain:
- Vitamin B6
- Folic acid
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Bananas give you a lot of energy and also contain soluble fiber, which helps promote healthy bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Lastly, since they’re so rich in vitamin B6, bananas improve your memory and boost your mood.
A word of caution, though: bananas are not recommended if you have diabetes.
3. Broccoli
One of the healthiest and most recommended vegetables is broccoli. Keep in mind that broccoli is best when eaten steamed or raw because that is the best way to consume its benefits.
Broccoli is rich in:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Vitamins A, C, E, and K
Similarly, it contains all of the valuable components belonging to B vitamins. Therefore, it’s excellent to care for and enhance your memory.
Read: Tips for Improving Your Memory
4. Walnuts
Walnuts are the most recommended nuts by doctors for your health, to improve cholesterol levels and enhance your brain capacities.
But what is their secret?
Walnuts have:
- Linolenic acid
- Omega-3
- Fiber
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6
- Folic acid
- Magnesium
- Copper selenium
- Flavonoids
- Vitamin E
They’re healthy for both your heart and brain. However, make sure to only eat a handful a day, because they have a fairly high-calorie index.
5. Healthy oily fish
How much fish do you eat per week?
No matter what, it’s important that it’s oily fish. The reason oily fish is always recommended is because it contains essential polyunsaturated fats such as Omega-3. These are very necessary for the health of the heart and brain.
Ideally, you should eat oily fish 3 to 4 times a week. Everyone in the family should eat it.
6. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is a great antioxidant that contains:
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- All the B-group vitamins
If you eat it regularly and without overdoing it, it will provide very healthy nutrients for your heart and brain.
Just one bite of this tasty food and you’ll notice immediately a sense of well-being from those endorphins, the elements secreted by the brain when you’re happy or eating your favorite food. There’s no doubt about it, a little bit of chocolate each day is healthy!
However, remember to consume it in moderation and balance with as much cacao content as possible. It is said that the best approach is to eat an ounce of dark chocolate per day.
In conclusion
For a more active and healthy brain, always remember to include these foods in your diet.
Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids and have an active lifestyle. Stay active physically and mentally. Foster your curiosity each day and get excited about life.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: The effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2421
