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Clean Up

Brain

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist—or a professor of neurosurgery,
like UCLA’s Fernando Gómez-Pinilla—to know that food can afect brain
function. But it doesn’t hurt that brain scientists such as Gómez-Pinilla
are publishing research that confirms that foods high in omega-3 fatty
acids and antioxidants have a positive efect on brain health. Make sure
your shopping cart often includes these brain-happy foods:

Avocados: Avocados are great for more than guacamole. They
contri bute to healthy blood flow, vascular health, and keep the
brain young.
Beets: These root vegetables are a great source of nitrates that
promote blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and other berries
help protect from oxidative stress and aid with memory and focus.
Eat one cup a day to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Nuts: Packed with vitamin E and healthy fats, nuts help regulate blood
flow and keep oxygen going to the brain. They are also thought to
reduce cognitive decline and are filled with anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon enhances brain function
and contains anti-inflammatory properties. It is also believed to
improve focus and memory, and lower the risk of dementia. Be sure
to enjoy natural wild salmon two to three times a week.
Spinach and leafy greens: The antioxidant lutein found in these
green veggies is thought to protect against cognitive decline.
Water: When you are dehydrated your brain actually shrinks.
Keeping hydrated keeps cognitive function at its best.