10 Superfoods that Help Prevent Memory Loss
| 2 min read
Forgetfulness is a common complaint among older adults. Whether it’s being unable to remember your neighbor’s daughter’s name or blanking on why you walked upstairs, becoming forgetful can be embarrassing and upsetting. While some memory loss may be inevitable, research has found that you may be able to eat your way to a healthier brain.
These 10 superfoods not only taste great, they have also been scientifically proven to boost brain power and improve your memory:
- Blackberries: These small berries can help you learn something new. According to a Tufts University study, blackberries provide you brain with an antioxidant known as polyphenol, which encourages communication between neurons and improves one’s ability to soak up new information.
- Apples: Not only do they keep the doctor away, apples can also keep your mental juices flowing. Thanks to an antioxidant plant chemical known as quercetin, consuming apples can help protect your brain cells from free radical attacks that impair cognitive ability.
- Chocolate: Good news, chocolate lovers: A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating as little as one-third of an ounce of chocolate a day can help protect your brain against age-related memory loss. It’s still dessert, though, so don’t overdo it!
- Avocados: Avocados are filled with monounsaturated fats, which help contribute to healthy blood flow in the brain.
- Salmon: This fish is a top source of DHA, the predominant omega-3 fat in your brain that’s believed to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
- Coffee: A recent study found that people who drank between three to five cups of coffee a day in their 40s and 50s reduced their odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 65 percent.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain an antioxidant known as lycopene that can help fight against brain cell damage and improve one’s cognitive function.
- Broccoli: This green veggie contains a chemical called sulforaphane that helps strengthen the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a semi-permeable lining that protects the brain from injuries.
- Honey: Not only is honey a sweet treat, it also contains several brain-boosting vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin B, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and anti-oxidants.
- Walnuts: According to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, walnuts can help reverse some forms of age-related brain wear and tear. These nuts are high in omega fatty acids, which have been shown to improve memory and cognitive ability.
Photo credit: Sean_hickin
