5 Foods for your Brain

Your body converts everything you eat in a day into the energy it needs. During that process, the food is broken down so it’s essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are accessible to your body. This is what helps your body replace cells and replenish its various systems.

In addition to all the common vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, the body can benefit from all kinds of specialized compounds found only in certain foods. Although you can live without these compounds, they also help your body function at its very best.

This is especially important when it comes to brain health. The brain is the most sophisticated organ in the entire human body, and also one of the most sensitive. It is responsible for a tremendous amount of the body’s energy needs on a daily basis. Selecting the right foods is an important part of keeping your brain healthy and sharp, especially as you age. Luckily, there are many foods that have terrific effects on cognitive health. Some of the best are:

Leafy Greens – Including Kale and Broccoli

Leafy greens are an essential part of a balanced diet and will help keep you healthy in all kinds of ways. Broccoli, in particular, is rich with the relatively rare Vitamin K – which enhances your overall brain power. It also reduces the breakdown of key neurotransmitters involved in memory. Kale is packed with a wide range of vitamins especially helpful to brain health in elders.

Blueberries

Blueberries have become famous as a superfood thanks to its high quantity of antioxidants, which help prevent various forms of cell damage associated with cancer risk and other chronic diseases. When it comes to brain health, blueberries are also unusual: They contain special protective agents known as anthocyanins that help you achieve better short-term memory.

Whole Grains and Nuts

Whole grains are a concentrated source of glucose, a powerful sugar and one of the only substances that can be used directly as fuel by the brain itself. Whole grains can release glucose into the body slowly, helping you maintain focus and concentration for longer periods. Nuts are concentrated packets of Vitamin E, which has been shown to protect essential brain functions.

Dark Chocolate

Like blueberries, dark chocolate is known for its antioxidants. In general, the darker chocolate is, the more powerful its various health effects are. Its small amount of caffeine, balanced with its nutrient content, will help you maintain focus and retain new information in the short-term. It’s important to remember, however, that you should limit intake to about an ounce a day.

Salmon

When it comes to oily fish and their outstanding health benefits, salmon is the undisputed leader. Omega-3 fatty acids are found mainly in these fish. These acids help with stress regulation and contributes to the production of serotonin, the brain’s “happiness chemical.” In addition, they are helpful for supporting the health of your heart, joints, and many other parts of the body.

Park Avenue Medical Professionals can help you with all your concerns about neurological health. We offer prompt and courteous service from experienced medical experts – our patients benefit from same-day service and the latest technology. To find out more, contact us today. Fill out the form on this page to request an appointment or call 212.427.2000 to learn more.