Want to make your brain sharper? Eat the right foods and you too can be an Einstein!
When it comes to your brain, the old saying, “You are what you eat”, still holds true. We can greatly improve our mental ability by learning the best foods to eat.
Eating the best brain foods will improve our concentration, sharpen our memory and help reduce the impact of age-related diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Keep your mind sharp with the 5 best foods to eat
The great news is that the best foods to eat to make your brain sharper are simple, readily available and yummy!
Here are the best foods to eat for your brain:
1. Blueberries
Are blueberries a super food or what? They were also included in The Eight Best Foods To Eat Every Day! Just one cup of these tiny berries a day packs a wallop in terms of nutrition for the brain. Studies have shown that they help protect the brain from the negative chemical effects of stress that may assist in reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Doctors also believe blueberries can improve both learning capacity and motor skills! So, go ahead and toss a handful of blueberries into your yogurt or cereal each morning.
2. Almonds
Almonds have been shown to be another potent brain food. Just an ounce a day of almonds provides you with a healthy treat that your brain will thank you for. Almonds have been shown to contain many nutrients that improve brain function keeping you sharper and more alert. Scientists also believe that a diet rich in almonds may have a positive effect on memory function.
3. Wild Salmon
Fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon are terrific treats for the brain! Salmon has been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain, improve moods and contribute to overall healthy brain function. Numerous studies have shown that eating about 4 ounces of wild salmon 2 to 3 times per week significantly reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s! Wild salmon is preferred due to its lowest traces of environmental toxins.
4. Green Tea
Okay, I’ll admit you usually drink tea instead of eating it. However, the benefits of green tea to the brain are too great to leave it off the list on a technicality. Drinking two cups of green tea a day is tied to the lowest risk for cognitive impairment in older adults. It can also protect you against Parkinson’s and other brain disorders. Studies have shown that green tea boosts dopamine levels which is critical for positive mood states and smooth muscle function.
5. Dark Chocolate
I saved the best for last! I’m a chocolate fanatic so this one really excites me. A half ounce to one ounce of dark chocolate a day will give you the maximum benefit. The small amount of caffeine in dark chocolate will help your concentration and focus. It is a great mid-morning pick-me-up! In addition, dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins in the brain which improves mood. It also contains powerful antioxidants which aids blood flow critical to peak brain performance. I love it!
Five simple, tasty foods that will make your brain sharper
These truly are the best foods to eat to improve brain function and to protect against many of the mental ailments that come with aging. Include these five super brain foods in your diet and you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor. It is easy and it will pay off big rewards!
Note: I am not a doctor or healthcare professional. I am simply passing along what I’ve read from credible sources. You should consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen!
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Hiya
Useful post and your other articles are informative too.
I enjoy almonds – fresh as well as in marzipan – and dark chocolate. Walnuts and brazils are another favourite. I’ll buy some green tea and find how good it is.
My best brain ‘sharpener’ is a smoothie consisting of kiwi fruit, oranges, banana, linseed, pumpkin seed and oats. Just add water and blend! Tastes ok, feels absolutely wonderful, my body shouts ‘Yes!’
thanks
Jens
Read Jens Upton´s latest article – Instant Relaxation Videos
Hiya
Useful post and your other articles are informative too.
I enjoy almonds – fresh as well as in marzipan – and dark chocolate. Walnuts and brazils are another favourite. I’ll buy some green tea and find how good it is.
My best brain ‘sharpener’ is a smoothie consisting of kiwi fruit, oranges, banana, linseed, pumpkin seed and oats. Just add water and blend! Tastes ok, feels absolutely wonderful, my body shouts ‘Yes!’
thanks
Jens
Read Jens Upton´s latest article – Instant Relaxation Videos
Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.
I do them all except the green tea and maybe more dark chocolate than I should
The berries and almonds are essential to my daily routine. If you want a good smoothie recipe that includes berries and a wide assortment of healthy foods check out my guest post over at Get Fit Slowly. http://www.getfitslowly.com/2009/02/26/the-busy-mans-health-shake/
Read Jeff Rose´s latest article – Teaching Kids The Value of Money Management
Hey Jeff,
I enjoy all of these and it’s a good thing because my brain needs all the help it can get. The reminder that “A half ounce to one ounce of dark chocolate a day will give you the maximum benefit” is helpful. When we limit our intake of such treats, not only do we savor them more, but we also avoid the negative side effects of over indulgence.
Read Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s latest article – Do You Have Glory Day Syndrome?
I love salmon and blueberries. I love to bbq salmon and have it over rice or with a baked potato. Your list provides another reason to keep eating dark chocolate.
Read Scott @ The Passive Dad´s latest article – Help Jump Start The Economy And Buy A New Car You Can’t Afford
Nice list
Though I don’t eat chocolate, I really eat the other stuff you listed daily, it’s good for much more stuff too, but it’s nice to know it boosts up our brains!
Read Hao´s latest article – Gundam Seed vs. Destiny
I wil like too eat dose kinds of food but the problem is we dont have it in my country nigeria Emmy:)
Hi Jeff,
Blueberries0 are awesome. Take those in the morning and you all set
Also greens(lettuce) excellent foods because of their alkaline nature.
Dark chocolate is a dream
Read Peter Levin´s latest article – 5 Simple Ways to Know if You Will Make it Big
I eat 3 of those items on the regular during the week. I don’t feel smarter, but hopefully am at least healthier.
Some nice superfoods in there.
I do all of those, although I eat much less fish now that my wife is a vegetarian.
I also like the benefits of whole cherries. We buy them frozen in the off season and the boys love them.
I also wish that fresh blueberries didn’t cost so much in the off season.
Nice post.
Read The Happy Rock´s latest article – Help Wanted – Cobblers Needed During A Recession
This is a great list. I love all of these foods and they can easily be incorporated into anybody’s diet. For example, blueberries can be added to some homemade pancakes or waffles. Almonds can be snacked on or you could put some almond butter on some whole wheat toast. Salmon is great by itself but also is good in a wrap or on a salad. And the green tea and the chocolate are a great compliment to any meal in my opinion!
I could drink Green Tea all day long heated or cold. It is nice to know someone out there is giving us a useful list. Great post with some wonderful information.
Read Robin´s latest article – SAS East has been rescheduled for a 2 day show this weekend
I eat all of these foods often. I don’t get a chance to eat salmon as much as I’d like to due to the cost, but I regularly eat the others.
Great post!
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Thanks for giving me the perfect excuse to go munch on some chocolates now
Off to raid my fridge!
Read Evelyn Lim´s latest article – How To Ground Yourself In 7 Ways
Found this post via Sherri’s Serene Journey, and smiled when I read about dark chocolate. I’ve long known about wild salmon and green tea, and so am happy to take your word for it on the other three! Simple and cool post.
Read Daphne´s latest article – How To Find Happiness in 5 Minutes
I should start eating more of those.
Read Anthony´s latest article – Find Telecommuting Opportunities with Online Tutor Jobs
Glad to know I like all of the foods mentioned!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Do Less to Get More Done =-.
It’s the Einstein statue from the Griffith Observatory. Sweet!
Green tea is the way to go for me! … sat here with a mug right now lol. Nice post thanks
.-= Weight Loss Tea´s last blog ..Wu Yi Green Tea =-.
Great list. It is so simple really! It cannot be hard to have some of these each day, so why do so many people not do this?
I love chocolate too, any excuse to have some, though I guess making sure you have the type that is actually beneficial is really important;-)
.-= Hope Wynns from Natural Brain Power.com´s last blog ..How To Live 100 Years or More =-.
i prefer green tea than ordinary tea
and i love bluberry too..! i think this berries good for my brain
.-= pink mini fridge´s last blog ..Pink Mini Fridge Buyers Guide =-.
I quit drinking tea and coffee for many years. It’s only recently that I’ve started to drink Tava Tea, a blend of organic sencha (green tea), Wuyi Cliff Oolong and Puerh teas. This blend of tea is rich in antioxidants that promote health healing. I feel more energised (no more afternoon slump) and have reduced cravings.
I consume all the foods in the list except blueberries as they are hard to find in my country.
.-= Tava Tea – Organic Weight Loss Tea´s last blog ..Tava Tea featured in The Sunday Express on 18th July 2010 =-.
I suffered a CVA stroke 2 years ago and have a clot in my right brain (so the stroke is on the left side) I have poor left focus , this is the result of my brain.
Will eating these foods or any other theraphy help strengthen my focus or bring it back to normal
thanx for the interesting website.
Regards
and God Bless
Jay Naidoo
Durban South Africa
Jay, I’m not a doctor and I can’t really say whether they would help in your situation or not. I’d recommend consulting a physician. Thanks for visiting my site!
I read this all.And i want to try………
i need help
hai
i like almond and i dont like green tea test bt ll use it…
is the green tea is even better than the coffee???