| Nutrients for the Brain |
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If the brain gets the right nutrients, you will be able to think quicker and have better memory. To enhance memory you should include fruits and vegetables with the deepest colours as they contain the highest levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and other biochemicals that prevent cellular damage by pollutants and enhance memory. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant activity, especially in enhancing brain activity. Blueberries, antioxidant -rich strawberries and spinach also have better brain functions that control memory and motor co-ordination. So try eating these foods with deep colours such as tricolour bell peppers, carrots, beetroots, spinach, rocket leaves, romaine lettuce, green beans, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, broccoli and pumpkin. Fruits such as blue berries, strawberries, black currants, grapes, orange, apricots, peach, cantaloupe, all these will increase memory power. Drink at least one-and-a-half to two litres of water daily so thatthe body is well hydrated. It helps logical thinking by staying well hydrated. Never miss a breakfast. It keeps you alert and helps improve memory. Fish is a great brain food.
Avoid processed foods like sugar laden cereals, white bread or fried foods, junk foods with high sodium content and preservatives or high-fat foods laden with saturated fat and sugars like doughnuts with chemical colourants, flavours and cream filled pastries. Along with the right balance of diet also include a multivitamin or stress on B vitamins like Bl, BS, B6, Bl2 and folic acid, as they are vital for normal brain and nerve function. Organ meats like chicken and meat liver, seafood like clams, oysters and mussels, chicken, sardines, mackerel, fish, beef, lamb, all kinds of beans, lentils, seeds, nuts and iron fortified cereals are all excellent sources of iron. Asparagus, cauliflower with its greens, potatoes with its skin, whole-wheat pasta cooked in tomato sauce are also good sources ofiron. To maximise iron absorption, combine the iron sources with iron absorption enhancers high in vitamin C such as lemon juice, oranges, grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries, broccoli, tricolour bell peppers, tomato and tomato juice. Don't combine your food with tea, coffee or red wine, as they are iron absorption inhibitors. source mitun |






