The brain is an extremely mighty and powerful organ that has the capability to adapt, absorb, and process new information on a daily basis. To accomplish this, the brain needs sufficient vitamins and nutrients to work effectively and to maintain the many processes it’s responsible for. Today, we are going to discuss five of the very best foods and supplements for brain health so that you can integrate them into your life.
Table of Contents hide
- List of foods and supplements for brain health
- 1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- 2. Leafy Greens
- 3. Adaptogenic Mushrooms
- 4. Berries
- 5. Caffeine
List of foods and supplements for brain health
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Numerous studies that have taken place over the years have shown that consuming omega-3 fatty acids regularly is one of the best ways to boost the brain’s health. These fatty acids and their anti-inflammatory properties work to improve the function of the brain and enhance cognition. Some of the best sources of omega-3s include fish like salmon, cod, and tuna, various nuts and seeds, or there are many different omega-3 supplements on the market if you’d rather acquire the multitude of unique advantages that way.
2. Leafy Greens
We’ve all been told that it’s important to eat our vegetables to obtain the myriad of health benefits, but are you aware of exactly what these benefits are? Vegetables like leafy greens are wonderful for our overall physical health, but more specifically, they are incredible for the health of our brains. Leafy greens are chock full of nutrients like lutein, vitamin K, beta-carotene, folate, and alpha tocopherol. Evidence shows that these nutrients are highly supportive of the brain’s health and may even help decelerate any age or illness-related cognitive decline.
3. Adaptogenic Mushrooms
We are gaining a clearer understanding of just how beneficial adaptogenic mushrooms can be for us and our cognitive abilities. There are over 14,000 different species of naturally occurring mushrooms out there and we’re still working to understand just how much of an effect some of them can have on our cognition when consumed. The term adaptogenic means it has the capability to reduce stress, to balance different physiological processes, and to support homeostasis. Mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and chaga can work to improve memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function. If you want to learn even more about adaptogenic mushrooms and their unique properties, this site is dedicated to talking in-depth about the different kinds, and you can find out more information about the science behind them here.
4. Berries
From the rich source of antioxidants to the high content of flavonoids, berries are one of the best ways that you can boost your brain’s overall performance. Flavonoids are found in darker berries such as blueberries and blackberries, and research has shown that these nutrients can work to enhance the memory, as well as prevent it from declining. Simply incorporating a daily smoothie that has berries into your diet or making a point to snack on them throughout the day can offer you considerable brain-boosting benefits.
5. Caffeine
Did you know that your morning cup of coffee might not just be the thing that helps you wake up each day and become more alert, but it can actually help improve your cognitive abilities, too? Caffeine that is found in coffee and various teas has shown to aid consumers with not only their mental clarity and focus, but also with forming new memories. Too much caffeine (or anything, really) can still be a bad thing, but in moderation it is understood to slow cognitive decline and possibly even reduce the speed in which neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s develop.
It’s important to note that anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or chronic illness should not regularly consume caffeine due to the fact that it will exacerbate the already overactive stress response.
By incorporating some or even all of these foods into your diet, you may be able to considerably increase your mental clarity, focus, memory, concentration, and alertness. Brain fog is something that most people encounter at some point in their lives, and it can certainly become immensely frustrating and challenging to overcome. What we put into our bodies has a direct effect on not only how we feel physically, but it plays a key function in how our brains operate, as well. Feeding our brains the fuel that will best support it and allow it to perform ideally should be high up on our list of priorities.
Providing our brains with the right sustenance is also what helps make neuroplasticity possible and effective. Rewiring the brain can be a lot of work, but it can be so much more straightforward and effortless when we consume an ideal diet full of brain boosting vitamins and minerals. re-origin has the goal of helping as many people harness their neuroplasticity capabilities as possible, so that they too can feel firsthand the wondrous effects that it can have in their lives. Living with cognitive function that is not as efficient as it could be does not have to be the case, and by joining our ever-growing community at re-origin, you too can see and experience how neuroplasticity is changing lives.