Have you ever wondered why they call fish a “brain food”? Or how come an apple a day keeps the doctor away? It’s all about diet and brain health! Food is much more than what satisfies our taste buds. Dr Julian Sargon-Ungar Lafayette Indiana It’s also what powers our brains. The food choices we make today can have a significant impact on our brain health in the future.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a big deal. They’re the compounds that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors, and they’re also responsible for keeping your brain healthy.
Antioxidants help protect your brain from free radicals—unstable atoms that can damage cells, including those in your brain. This is especially important as you get older, because free radicals are more common as you age, and they take longer to clear out of your system.
Some of the best antioxidant-packed foods include blueberries, avocados, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes and kale.
Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 fats are one of the most important things you can eat for your brain, according to Dr Julian Sargon-Ungar. And it’s not just because of the omega-3s themselves: it’s because of what they do for your body.
Omega-3s are a type of polyunsaturated fat. They’re found in fish, walnuts and flax seeds. We need them to keep our brains healthy and functioning properly, but they also help with heart health and weight management. The best way to get these types of fats is by eating foods high in omega-3s—like salmon, mackerel and tuna—but if you don’t like fish or want some variety in your diet, there are other ways to get them too!
Vitamins B, C, D, And E
In order to get the most out of your brain, you need to feed it well. Your brain needs vitamins B, C, D, and E to function properly. Vitamins B6 and B12 help you process information and form memories. Vitamin C helps with blood flow and brain cell growth. Vitamin D helps protect your brain from depression and anxiety. And vitamin E protects your neurons from oxidative stress—the kind that can kill off brain cells!
