As the age-old saying goes: you are what you eat. In this case, we’re turning our attention to our brain’s health. Many of us eat certain foods in order to bring about changes in the condition of our skin, or hair for example, but how many of us think of our brains?
We take a look at the best foods to eat for brain health both in the short-term and long-term. We’ve also been sure to include some tips as to not what to eat, too.
From helping boost concentration levels, to aiding in the prevention of diseases, here are 10 foods you should include in your diet.
1. Fatty fish
In the hierarchy of brain foods, fatty fish stands at the top. Of course, if you’re a vegetarian, miss this one out. Fatty fishes generally include salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, and mackerel to name just a few.
All of these options are packed full of omega-3 which is a brain-boosting fat for building both brain and nerve cells. Both of which are responsible for a large portion of our learning and memory!
2. Coffee
Coffee may be a surprising food to see on the list, but it is one that our brain loves. The two main components of coffee, caffeine, and antioxidants, actively support your brain’s health.
Caffeine results in increased alertness, improved mood, and better concentration. Studies have also suggested that by drinking coffee over the long term you can also benefit from a reduced risk of a number of neurological diseases.
3. Turmeric
The golden coloured spice from tropical South Asia may be the secret ingredient for maintaining good brain health.
Its active ingredient, curcumin, has been found to cross the blood-brain barrier which means it directly enters the cells in the brain to do positive things.
As a strong antioxidant, turmeric may benefit memory, help to ease depression, and aids new cell growth.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the most beneficial foods you can consume. The tiny purple berries pack a big punch when it comes to positively affecting our overall health.
Delivering anthocyanins, a type of plant compound, which has amazing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers.
In fact, the antioxidants from blueberries are directly delivered to the brain and accumulate to help improve communication via cells. Such interactions have been found to improve memory and certain cognitive processes among children.
5. Nuts
Eating nuts can improve the health of our heart and as a result, our brains too! Studies that have been carried out have indicated that by regularly consuming nuts, the risk of cognitive decline becomes far lower.
Nuts also contain a number of nutrients including healthy fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants which boost brain health too.
NAD+ Brain Health Supplements
Maintaining a healthy diet full of the foods that our brains need can be challenging, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a way to ensure that your brain’s health is at an optimum level, brain health supplements could greatly benefit you.
At NADdirect, our supplement range is designed for those looking to keep their bodies and mind in top condition.
Infused with NAD+, our Optima Max supplement is the perfect supplement for optimising brain performance, every day.