Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Best and worst brain foods

I was reading today about foods that are good and bad for your brain. Being three quarters of the way done with this semester, which has been hell I might add, I wanted to see what I should be consuming/avoiding. At this point I'll try anything. So here's what I've found.




To help you concentrate: Studies found that the scent of peppermint is supposed to help you focus and boost performance. Better yet, when you have a long drive peppermint helps you to remain more alert and less anxious.


For sharpened senses: Include a tablespoon of ground flaxseed daily to your diet. You can sprinkle it on salads or add it to a smoothie or shake. Flaxseed is a healthy fat that improves the function of the cerebral cortex.



For good moods: Eat more leafy greens such as spinach, chard or arugula. According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, a lack of B6 can cause nervousness, irritability, and even depression.

Looking for an energy boost: Stay away from a high-carbohydrate breakfast such as pancakes or bagels. Choose instead a high-protein breakfast. Two hours after eating, the carb eaters had tryptophan levels four times higher than those of the people who had eaten protein.

Short-term memory boost needed: Coffee is the ultimate brain fuel. Caffeine has been shown to retard the aging process and enhance short-term memory performance. However, too much caffeine, especially from late afternoon onward can have a negative effect on the short-term memory as well. Too much caffeine can interrupt your normal sleep pattern. Sleep is reboot time for your mental computer, and you don't want to mess with it.

Here's one that I know.



Long-term memory boost: Eat blueberries. Blueberries contain antioxidants which protect the brain from free-radical damage and lower your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. If you can find wild blueberries, they have even more antioxidants than the cultivated variety. Another tip within this tip is if your favorites are out of season, buy them frozen. Freezing them locks in flavors and nutrients, so the berries' antioxidant capacity is maxed out. It's better consuming the off-season berries.

No comments:

Post a Comment