When you
think of becoming smarter, you probably think about studying hard, doing lots
of math and generally putting in time and effort. But what if I told you that
you could get smarter by
eating? We
all love eating, so in theory this should be no hardship at all. But if you
choose your foods wisely, you’ll find it can significantly affect your brain function and overall mental performance…
So, without
further ado, here are some of the top brain foods…
Oily Fish
Oily fish
is absolutely crucial for optimum brain health. Why? Because it contains omega
3 fatty acid. This benefits our brain in two ways. Firstly, omega 3 fatty acid
can be used to build cell walls. It is incorporated into their formulation,
which means that lesser materials get replaced. In turn, this results in brain
cells that are more flexible, more fluid and less likely to become damaged.
Better yet, this also increases ‘cell membrane permeability’. In simple
English, this means that neurotransmitters, nutrients and key signals will pass
through the cell walls more easily, allowing for speedier transmissions and
improved communication across synapses.
On top of
all this, omega 3 fatty acid also fights inflammation. Inflammation is actually
a big deal in the brain, where pro-inflammatory cytokines can cause serious
damage if left to their own devices. Brain inflammation is probably responsible
for brain fog, so this is a quick and effective brain upgrade.
Eggs
Eggs
contain all of the essential amino acids that humans need to thrive. This means
that it contains all the proteins that are used to build muscle, skin, bone and
neurochemicals.
But what
eggs also contain is choline. Choline
is a chemical precursor to acetylcholine, meaning that it is what the brain
uses in order to synthesize that
ingredient. This is important for us because acetylcholine is the primary
excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain alongside glutamate. This means it is
used in many important operations and particularly
when it comes to memory!
Avocado
Avocado is
a healthy saturated fat, which is important because the brain is largely made from fat. It’s also another source
of omega 3 fatty acid. But what is most exciting of all is that it contains
lutein – a carotenoid that used to be known primarily for its eye-health
benefits but which has since come to be seen as a powerful cognitive enhancer
and energy booster!
Comments
Post a Comment