Let’s talk about the things we do know. We do know that the food we eat affects our bodies, we do know that there are certain foods we can eat that support our overall health, and we do know that our bodies need X amount of calories to stay moving. But have you stopped to think about how the food you eat affects your brain health? Our brains are pretty amazing; that one organ has a whole lot of jobs, in fact, it’s the control center of our whole being. Our brain tells our heart to beat, our lungs to work, and you know, everything else that has to happen in order to keep our body functioning. So of course we need to be prioritizing the health of our brain and what that means for our daily diet. Brains need certain nutrients to stay healthy, so we put together a list of four super common foods (and one heavenly beverage!) you can be eating (and drinking!) to boost your brain function. Let’s get started!
Coffee
(image via: cafe campensino)
Believe us when we say we let out a sigh of relief. Coffee contains caffeine and antioxidants both of which support a happy, healthy brain, not to mention both components have been found to offer at least a little protection against Alzheimer’s disease. As an added little bonus, coffee can boost your alertness and mood, and also it’s delicious. (Okay, we added that last one, but hey, we consider that good for your mental health!)
Broccoli
Broccoli has a ton of benefits and we’ll start with the fact that it’s an antioxidant. Broccoli also contains a ton of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and compounds known as glucosinolates that get broken down by our bodies and turn into isothiocyanates which have been proven to reduce stress and lower the risk of neuro diseases.
Eggs
(image via: today show)
Not just a good source of protein, but also rich in Vitamin B which slows cognitive decline. In fact, a number of studies have found a severe lack of Vitamin B in people who suffer from depression and dementia.
Avocado
First coffee, now avocado? We can certainly work more of these two foods into our everyday diets. You may be wondering how these little green fellows can boost your brain function, and while it’s in a bit of a roundabout way, we’re all about it. High blood pressure is directly linked to cognitive decline, so reduce your blood pressure, reduce your risk of cognitive decline, and because avocados are unsaturated fats, they have been said to aid in lowering blood pressure.