DIET Library
Darshan Institute of Engineering & Technology, Rajkot
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
SUPER FOOD TO BOOST BRAIN POWER
Everyone wants a good memory but no one wants
to eat right! Here are the foods that will make
you brighter and sharper. These 51 foods will
surely help you get better at remembering and
get your brain ticking without having to take
those coffee breaks and reminders!
1. Is Dark Chocolate Brain Food?
A few Dark Chocolate squares help sharpen
your brain for a short time. Dark Chocolate contains
Phenylethylamine that stimulates the brain to produce
neurotransmitter Serotonin which helps boost your mood.
2. Natural Sugar enhances alertness
Eating complex carbs like some fruits,
veggies, grains, beans enhances alertness and
mental ability. Eating simple carbs or too much sugar
results into impaired memory and additional pounds.
3. Why are complex carbs called smart food?
When you eat complex carbs your brain
gets sugar for fuel at a steady pace this in turn
will influence your learning and behaviour.
Brain craves for natural sugar utilizing almost
20% of your carb intake.
4. Can nuts keep your brain healthy and young?
Nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidant Vitamin E,
which helps arrest cognitive decline as you age.
Note - The nutrient density doesn't change
with size or if they are raw or dry roasted.
5. Why is it important to hydrate your brain?
Your blood is 82 percent water and both
your brain and muscles, are 75 percent water.
Drinking plenty of water can help with mental clarity
and at times prevents the release of stress hormones.
6. Do blueberries promote brain health?
Blueberries contain Anthocyanins, Vitamins A, B's, C, E,
Selenium, Zinc, Potassium, Magnesium etc. which
together prevent and heal neurotic disorders by
preventing degeneration and death of neurons, brain-cells.
7. Cocoa: Brain food that helps focus
Cocoa and dark chocolate contain significant amounts
of antioxidant Flavanols that improve the blood
flow in the brain and enhance cognitive skills.
8. Water helps lower stress
Studies state that when your body is dehydrated
you will be stressed & anxious as the body has increased
your cortisol levels (stress hormones). A simple way
to de-stress -- drink a glass of water.
9. Steady sugar supply is good for memory
Low glycemic index fruits are rich in fiber that
slows the absorption of fruit sugar and gives
steady energy. So when the brain gets steady supply
of Glucose it enhances performance and memory.
10. Berries improves memory
Berries are rich in antioxidants and help reduce
the effects of age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease
or dementia and may reverse in some cases decline
in the cognitive and motor function.
11. Boost brain health with eggs
Eggs are rich in Protein and packed with Choline,
which helps memory development. Eggs are rich in
Tyrosine an amino acid (protein) which helps make
neurotransmitters that increase mental alertness.
12. Does caffeine stimulate your brain?
Caffeine elevates neural activity in many parts of the brain,
postpones fatigue, and enhances performance at
simple intellectual tasks. Larger doses of caffeine
may result in jitteriness and lack of sleep.
13. Is fatty fish really brain food?
Fatty Fish is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids,
an essential fat for brain function and development.
2 'weekly' servings of fatty fish will give enough Omega 3 fats
to help enhance memory - particularly important when we age.
14. Does ice cream boost your mood?
Ice cream are simple carbohydrates and will definitley
improve your mood but the effect will only last
1 to 2 hours. Desserts cause blood sugar to
spike and plummet, leading to fatigue and moodiness.
15. Nuts are positive mood enhancers
For brainpower and to balance your moods eat Walnuts,
Cashews, Almonds, Peanuts and Hazelnuts.
Nuts can help clear up brain fog and enable you to think
clearer and are positive mood enhancers.
16. Whole grains helps elevate your mood
Whole grains are rich in Vitamin B1 or Thiamine that
serves an important role in maintaining a healthy
nervous system and metabolizing carbohydrates.
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine intake also elevates mood.
17. Honey: Brain food that helps enhance alertness
The glucose in honey is quickly absorbed and gives
energy and boosts performance, while the fructose is
absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy &
together they help reduce muscle fatigue.
18. Tea: Brain food that helps in being alert
Tea contains both caffeine and the amino acid L-Theanine
which can improve alertness, reaction time,
and memory. Tea also helps fight effects of stress.
19. Does Vitamin D brightens your mood?
Sunshine Vitamin or Vitamin D can help brighten
your mood. Optimize your Vitamin D levels with
10-20 minutes of soft sunlight couple of times a week.
20. Flax seeds are good for your brain
Omega 3 fats help repair brain cells that are
needed for mood elevation. The brain is more than
60% fat, and it functions far better when it is
fortified with healthy, fluid essential fatty acids like
Omega 3 fatty acids.
21. Complex carbs: Brain's favorite fuel
Complex Carbs help boosting energy and your mood.
Carbs are body's preferred energy source and help
raise serotonin levels. Serotonin is a
neurotransmitter that improves your mood.
22. Fatty fish enhances brain function
People eating rich diet of omega 3 fatty acids lower
their risk for dementia or stroke.
2 'weekly' servings of fatty fish will give enough
Omega 3 fats to help enhance memory -
particularly important when we age.
23. Peaches are feel good fruits
Peaches contain antioxidants Vitamin C and
Beta-carotene, which help fight free radicals.
Free radicals cause oxidative stress and speed up
premature aging & affect many brain functions.
24. Milk chocolate can improve your verbal memory
Milk chocolate helps improves impulse control and
reaction time and helps improve visual and
verbal memory. A piece of Milk chocolate also
releases of endorphins that are mood-elevating hormones.
25. Why do most people binge on nuts?
Nuts contain Pyrazine a mood-altering chemical
that reaches your brain through your olfactory
senses or your nose. Pyrazine stimulates the
production of many feel-good chemicals.
26. Peanuts helps boost mental alertness
Fruits and Nuts that contain trace mineral Boron are
considered Brain Food as Boron stimulates the brain and
boosts mental alertness. Boron is also found in Legumes,
Broccoli, Apples, Peaches and Grapes...
27. Snacks that help boost your mood
If you are feeling depressed snacks on Bananas or Walnuts -
they help increase Serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter
in the brain that regulates mood and helps fight depression.
28. Foods can help fight depression
Eat foods that contain the amino acid Tryptophan as it
helps produce brain chemical Serotonin that elevates
your mood. Foods rich in Tryptophan include milk, poultry, and nuts.
29. Caffeine: Brain food that helps you concentrate
Caffeine can energize plus help you focus and concentrate
but its effect lasts only for a short while. More than
4 cups or 500 mg of Caffeine per day may cause
jitters and grogginess.
30. Salmon: Brain food that boosts your mood
Omega 3 fats help create the receptor sites for
neurotransmitters like Serotonin. If there are more
Omega 3 fats in your blood you are likely to make more
Serotonin the brain chemical vital to boost your mood.
31. Cashews: Mood boosting & energising foods
Cashews, Almonds, and Hazelnuts contain Magnesium,
which plays a vital role in converting sugar into energy.
Sugar released helps boost your mood. Magnesium deficiency
can drain you of energy.
32. Oatmeal is mood boosting & energising
Complex carbs and soluble fiber in Oatmeal helps stabilize
your blood-glucose levels and deliver sustained energy.
Add more brain nutrients to Oatmeal by adding strawberries.
33. Oatmeal reduces risk of cognitive decline
Oatmeal contains ferulic acid a potent antioxidant that
protects brain cells by neutralizing toxins and helps reduce
risk of cognitive decline of aging. Add more brain nutrients
to Oatmeal by adding sliced almonds.
34. Beans: Mood boosting & energising
Beans are high in Fiber which is an energy stabilizer.
Fiber ensures a more steady supply of energy throughout
the day. Other foods that contain soluber fiber are Peas,
Citrus fruits, Strawberries and Apples.
35. Lean meats help you stay alert
Lean Beef, Chicken, and Turkey are rich in Protein
and contain the amino acid Tyrosine. Tyrosine boosts
levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain
chemicals that help you feel more alert and focused.
36. Leafy greens are mood boosting & energising
Folates or Vitamin B9 in leafy green vegetables,
including Spinach and Romaine lettuce helps
fight depression. Other good Folate food sources include
Legumes, Nuts, and Citrus Fruits.
37. Poultry elevates your mood
Poultry bis rich inTyrosine that helps elevate levels
of feel good neurotransmitters, Norepinephrine and Dopamine.
Tyrosine can help boost your level of energy, and
also helps neutralize effects of stress.
38. Walnuts can help lift your mood
Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, that are
needed for mood-lifting neurotransmitters to function
properly thus help fight depression. Salmon and Flaxseeds
are also good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids.
39. Whole grain bread may help fight depression
Whole grain bread contains Tryptophan an essential
amino acid that helps make Serotonin a neurotransmitter,
and optimum levels of Serotonin are required to be in a good mood.
40. Milk is considered as a feel good food
Milk contains high amount of Calcium that helps
reduce your stress levels and anxiety. Milk contains
amino acid Tryptophan that helps your body produce
Brain Chemical Serotonin, which elevates your mood.
41. Why does your brain need spinach?
Folates or Vitamin B9 in Spinach helps fight depression.
Magnesium in Spinach plays a vital role in converting
sugar into energy and Magnesium deficiency can drain you of energy.
42. Does hot chocolate help you focus?
Caffeine in hot chocolate stimulates your metabolism
and temporarily improves mental focus and energy.
Too much of caffeine kills sleep leading to fatique and stress.
43. Fluid filled fruits help energize your brain
Fresh Fruits and vegetables that have a high water
content help you stay hydrated and energized.
Fruits and vegetables contain natural sugar that is
brains preferred energy source and water that helps release stress.
44. Brazil Nuts are natural mood boosters
Brazil Nuts are rich in mineral Selenium are natural
mood boosters and acts as an anti-depressant.
45. Freshly brewed coffee smells heavenly
Freshly grounded coffee contains Pyrazine a mood-altering
chemical that reaches your brain through your olfactory senses.
Pyrazine triggers the pleasure center of the brain producing
many feel-good chemicals.
46. Which foods help fight depression?
Complex carbohydrates found in Beans, Potatoes, and
Whole Grains increase bioavailability of Tryptophan
in the brain. Tryptophan helps produce brain chemical
Serotonin that elevates your mood.
47. Lean beef helps tackle depression
Lean beef is rich in Vitamin B12 that enables the nervous
system and the brain to function properly. A daily dose of
Vitamin B12 may prevent depression as it needed
for the production of Serotonin.
48. Purple grape juice helps your memory
Purple grape juice contains natural antioxidants called
Flavanols that improve blood flow in the brain and enhance
cognitive skills, help maintain your memory and
improve your general disposition.
49. How does Yogurt help boost your mood?
Consuming Calcium rich foods like Yogurt helps alleviate
depression and anxiety. A cup of Yogurt contains about
488 mg of Calcium that helps boost your mood.
50. Why Shellfish is considered a mood booster?
Seafood and shellfish are mood boosters as they contain
a good amount of Selenium. Selenium boosts your
mood by reducing anxiety. Selenium neutralizes the
effects of harmful hormonal levels created by stress.
51. Do bananas elevate your mood in a jiffy?
Mood problems are usually related to stress or missing
nutrients in your diet. A single banana actually
packs a good energy boost and is high in
Magnesium that boosts your mood.
ALL THE ABOVE WILL ONLY WORK
IF YOU HAVE A BRAIN.
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