LIFESTYLE NEWS - Treat your brain like the exquisite, powerful machine it is and follow these basic tips to feed your brain the highest quality fuel for top mental performance at school.
The Mediterranean diet is widely considered as a healthy, balanced way of eating.
Those who eat this way rank high in overall health and longevity, and stay mentally sharp for the long haul. This diet emphasises unprocessed foods: fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, seafood, poultry, eggs, yogurt, and meat. Certain foods can help your brain work better, as they contain nutrients that provide the building blocks of neurotransmitters, increase blood flow to the brain and stimulate the formation of new brain cells. These include olive oil monounsaturated fats, avocado, Omega-3 rich foods, walnuts, eggs, berries, tumeric and sea vegetables.
Olive oil
Intake of olive oil's monounsaturated fats is linked to better memory and other cognitive functions. Monounsaturated fats increase the production and release of the neurotransmitter most associated with memory and learning.
Olive oil contains vitamins E and K, which are important for memory and the prevention of mental decline.
Avocados
Avocados are loaded with monounsaturated fats and are an excellent source of vitamins your brain needs like C, E, K, and B complex, as well as tyrosine, an amino acid that's a precursor to dopamine, the brain chemical that keeps you motivated and focused.
Omega-3 rich foods
There are two main omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The brain benefits of omega-3 fats are derived mostly from DHA, which is found in high concentrations in the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain responsible for memory, language, creativity, and attention.
The best food sources are animals allowed to get their food from their natural habitat, like wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, free-range chicken, and wild game.
Walnuts don't only look a little like a brain, it is also good for the brain.
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