Can’t seem to remember where you placed your car keys? Or, perhaps you’re worried you won’t retain all of your notes for a big exam?
Poor memory recall can certainly be exasperating and the exact causes of it can run the gamut between the less severe—vitamin deficiencies, lack of sleep, stress—to more serious concerns like brain diseases.
In regards to the former, your brain is the most energy-consuming organ in your body, accounting for roughly 20 percent of your body’s energy use. (In other words, 20 percent of your daily calorie intake is used to fuel your brain!) As a result, your brain *needs* ample vitamins and nutrients in order to function properly.
In order to help ensure your brain operates sans memory lapse, you should be consuming a brain-boosting diet full of all the healthy good stuff: Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin B-12, vitamin E, etc. Here are five superfoods that are chock-full of vitamins and nutrients to help you on the path to improved memory and better brain function.
1. Berries
Packed with antioxidants, compounds that help protect cells from harmful free radicals, berries—blueberries, blackberries, açaí berries, strawberries, etc—have countless positive effects on brain health.
Research shows berries may help reduce cognitive decline, eliminate inflammation, and may help to counter age-related memory loss! Food for thought!
2. Nuts + Seeds
High in Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, nuts and seeds are another staple as far as memory-improving foods go.
Along with being a healthy source of fats and proteins, research shows nuts are especially beneficial for reducing cognitive decline and improving brain function with age.
3. Dark Chocolate
Along with being *extremely* tasty, dark Chocolate is nutrient-rich and packed with antioxidants. Studies show consuming high-flavanol cocoa may improve blood flow to the brain and may also help to improve brain function in the elderly.
Dark chocolate’s flavonoids have also been shown to help improve memory and learning as they tend to accumulate in the regions of the brain responsible for these functions.
4. Seaweed
Highly nutritious with numerous health benefits, seaweed contains zinc, iron, and iodine—key nutrients that may help improve brain function by countering brain fog and poor memory.
Chock-full of antioxidants, seaweed may also help to reduce chronic inflammation of the brain, a problem that has been shown to lead to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
5. Avocado
A major source of antioxidant powerhouses vitamin C and E, avocados may help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Full of monosaturated fats, avocados also help to promote blood flow, which in turn helps to improve brain function, and have also been shown to help lower blood pressure.
Also by Audrey: 5 Irresistibly Pretty, Multipurpose Vegan Makeup Products For On The Go
5 Calming Foods To Eat When Your Anxiety Is Through The Roof
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Photo: Pexels, Andrew Welch via Unsplash, Dovile Ramoskaite via Unsplash, Thought Catalog via Unsplash,
