Foods To Stimulate The Brain

From the age of 30, we lose nearly 1000 neurons per day. To maintain good brain health, it is essential to follow a healthy diet and to exercise, both physically and mentally.

The brain must receive the nutrients it needs to produce good performance and perform its function to the maximum of its ability. Certain foods stimulate the brain.

They help strengthen memory, the ability to concentrate and learn, and can even boost morale!

Thus, a balanced diet and a healthy life increase the longevity of the brain. They give it back the vitality that diminishes over the years, and protect it from diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The importance of diet to stimulate the brain

The brain controls certain functions of the body through the nervous system. It is for this reason that it is essential to take care of it and give it the importance it deserves.

Over time, especially in your 30s, nearly 1,000 neurons perish every day. So the brain is gradually deteriorating, as are its functions, such as memory.

It should be emphasized that the size of this organ is not directly proportional to its functions. For example, Albert Einstein had a brain that weighed about 135 grams less than the average. But he used it better.

However, even though a brain weighs only 1.4 kg, it is only 2% of an individual’s weight. But it absorbs around 20% of the energy produced by the body.

The brain feeds mainly on glucose and oxygen. It is necessary that the proportion of glucose in the blood is between 70 mg and 120 mg per 100 ml of blood. In addition, the brain also needs fat. Because it is itself made up of 30% fat.

This is the reason why it is necessary to provide it with unsaturated fats such as omega-3 and omega-6. Because they enter into the formation of brain cells.

For example, by consuming olive oil, fish or dried fruits, there will be less deterioration of emotional and intellectual faculties.

How to keep your brain healthy

Fatigue or stress can cause memory loss. For example, causing us to forget important information or dates. If this happens to us, we will need to take steps to restore the brain to its proper functioning.

So we should include in our diet products that contain omega-3, vitamins B, C and E and folic acid. And simultaneously consume vegetables and fruits that provide us with the nutrients essential for our brain to function properly!

The order in which the food is eaten should not be neglected. In order for the brain to eat properly, we must first ingest protein and lastly carbohydrates. If we follow this order, amino acids can reach the brain.

On the other hand, if carbohydrates are ingested first, only tryptophan gets to the brain. This then produces more serotonin, and the urge to sleep follows.

On the other hand, you have to remember that food is not the only thing that stimulates the brain. He also needs to exercise and stay active. We must therefore stimulate the brain by indulging in reading of all kinds, by learning new things.

For example, studying a foreign language, playing an instrument, doing crosswords or Sudoku puzzles.

It is also necessary to do physical exercise, because it is directly related to the neural connections.  Exercise thus helps stimulate the brain and preserve the frontal lobe. It is one of the main culprits of aging and memory loss.

In addition, it oxygenates the brain and limits the onset of diseases that lead to memory failure, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The right foods to stimulate the brain

Certain foods in particular provide nutrients to the brain.

• Green tea  . It contains catechins that reduce brain fatigue and improve memory. In addition, it increases the production of dopamine, a fundamental neurotransmitter for the brain. It also slows down the onset of brain disorders.
• Lingonberries. They limit the oxidation that occurs over time. They therefore limit the effects of certain diseases such as senile dementia and Alzheimer’s.
• Lawyer. It is used to maintain and control a good blood supply, essential for the brain, thanks to the monounsaturated fats that it carries.
• Yogurt.  It maintains nerve function thanks to calcium which improves it. It also provides tyrosine, a substance that helps in the production of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine.

• Strawberries. They increase the brain’s internal communication and decrease the negative effects on the command center, which usually worsen with age.
• Egg. They slow down brain aging. Because they contain zeaxanthin and lutein, two of the essential natural antioxidants. They are also an important source of protein.
• Broccoli. It improves cognitive functions and brain function thanks to the considerable amount of vitamin K it contains.
• Spinach. They improve the body’s learning capacity and motor activities, and reduce the deleterious effects of old age on the brain.
• Ripe. It slows down the advance of degenerative diseases and protects against oxidation of the brain, because it contains very good nutrients for mental health.
• Fish. Consuming fatty acids and omega-3s, which are found in different species of fish, improves cognitive performance.

To fight memory loss, you need to stimulate the brain

There are specific foods to treat poor memory. The non-profit organization Helpguide suggests the following foods:

Omega-3 acids.

They have a link with cognitive functions. These are good fats that are distinguished from trans fats and saturated fats. They therefore help us fight against high cholesterol levels and inflammation.

Some of the foods that contain it are nuts and walnut oil, flaxseed oil, and flax seeds. They are also found in herring, mackerel, salmon and tuna.

Consumption of folic acid and B vitamins, especially vitamins B12 and B6.

They protect neurons by eliminating homocysteine, a toxic amino acid that affects nerve cells. On the other hand, vitamin B contributes to the production of red blood cells which are responsible for bringing oxygen to the brain.

Foods that contain vitamin B include black beans and other legumes, soybeans, citrus fruits, melon, spinach, green vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, and strawberries.

Beta-carotene and antioxidants like vitamins E and C.

Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage cells. In addition, they improve the supply of oxygen to the brain and the body.

Some of the foods that contain it are liver, sweet potatoes, tomato, citrus fruits, nuts and seeds, spinach, green tea, broccoli, and berries.

Healthy food to stimulate the brain

Ultimately, eating a healthy diet is essential for taking care of our brain if we are to keep it healthy.

Foods containing the necessary nutrients, physical exercise and always trying to keep the brain working are the key ingredients for this organ to remain healthy despite age and to stay safe from accidents!