Top 5 Superfoods For a Healthy Brain

As humans, the brain is the most important organ that we have, which is why it is important to keep it working in optimal condition. Over the years, research has shown that food is very important in improving brain function and protecting it against the cognitive decline associated with age.

For those of you that want to keep your brain working as well as it can, here are the top 5 superfoods for a healthy brain.

5. Spinach

The old Popeye cartoons used to recommend eating spinach to grow as strong as our favorite sailor, what they didn’t know was that spinach is actually better for the brain. Spinach is rich in lutein, which is an antioxidant that is believed to help against the decline of cognitive skills.

A Harvard Medical School research found that women who ate spinach regularly had a lower rate of cognitive decline than those who rarely ate the vegetable.

4. Coffee

Caffeine is known to be a stimulant that improves mental alertness. In addition to stimulating the brain, it also improves the brain’s health thanks to the richness in antioxidants. Some research studies also show that drinking coffee helps prevent depression in women.

3. Berries

Over the years, tests and studies run on animals have shown that berries are good for brain health. According to a recent study that was published in the Annals of Neurology, a diet that is high in strawberries, blueberries, and similar fruits was linked to a slower decline in cognitive functions, especially in areas like memory loss and focus. However, the research was conducted on a large sample of middle aged women, and it’s unclear if it applies to men or younger people.

2. Dark Chocolate

It is known that the consumption of too much chocolate is bad for you. However, if chocolate is consumed in moderation, you will be okay. Mental health professionals recommend dark chocolate as a superfood for the brain because it is rich in antioxidants and is actually good for the whole body as well.

In regards to mental health, the caffeine in dark chocolate is said to play a role in mental sharpness. The flavonoids and antioxidants also help improve blood flow to the brain.

1. Walnuts

Walnuts are considered the best brain superfood because they have a lot of anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy nutrients. Walnuts are also a great source of alpha linolenic acid, which help to promote blood flow and allows for the efficient flow of oxygen to the brain.

A 2010 research found that mice with Alzheimer’s that were regularly fed walnuts had improved memory and motor skills.