Add these staples to your diet to fuel and fortify your noggin.
you might cultivate basic healthy habits such asgetting regular exercise, trying/learning new things, and prioritizing sleep.
There’s even evidence thatdoing housework can help your brain!
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And one of your best bets for keeping your brain sharp is to focus on nutrition.
The brain works around the clock without taking a break, notes Purtell.
Eating healthy foods for the brain will support these functions, and ultimately, overall health.
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Carla Gonzalez Hart
What Makes a Food Healthy for Your Brain?
But what does a brain-friendly diet look like, exactly?
Nutrition for brain health is as much about what you avoid, too.
Victor Protasio
Thankfully, to make things easier, these guidelines apply to both brain and body health as a whole.
Still, when it comes to brain wellness, there are some foods that deserve a call-out.
Read on to learn about the best ones to add to your diet, according to medical professionals.
Caitlin Bensel
That’s because these veggies are chock-full of nutrients required for optimal brain function.
This doesn’t have to be all about salads, though.
Another option is to toss a cup of greens into a soup or stew while cooking.
Kan Kanbayashi
Eventually, the greens will wilt, adding a generous (and effortless) dose of nutrients and flavor.
“More than making your food beautiful, though, flavonoids help improve memory,” she adds.
They’re also required for proper blood flow, ensuring your brain receives enough oxygen to function.
Jennifer Causey
Moreover, nuts contain vitamin E,zinc, and selenium, which all have antioxidant properties.
All types of nuts are fair game, so you’ll have plenty to choose from.
Walnuts,pecans, almonds, and cashews are just a few of the delicious choices out there.
Charles Maraia
Use crushed nuts instead of breadcrumbs to coat a protein, like tofu or fish.
Fatty Fish
Like nuts,fatty fishare rich in omega-3 fatty acids, says Dr. Kelley.
Dr. Kelley recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week.
Quentin Bacon
Dark Chocolate
Good news,dark chocolate lovers!
Thanks to these brain benefits, a daily dose of dark chocolate will do you well.
“ensure to check the nutrition label for added sugars,” he adds.
They’re also a good source of brain-healthyfolate.
Wooszynowska-Fraser MU, Kouchmeshky A, McCaffery P.Vitamin A and retinoic acid in cognition and cognitive disease.Annu Rev Nutr.
2019;11:155. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00155
American Heart Association.Go Nuts (But just a little!).
Accessed April 27, 2023.
2020;12:76. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00076
American Heart Association.Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Accessed April 27, 2023.
