𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇, 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐘 & 𝐅𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐒

 

“You could accomplish so much in a day if your brain had a cloud-free, razor-sharp focus, concentration and memory. But for the wrong foods, many people including growing children struggle with alertness, focus, retention, and concentration.” 

A boost of your brain power gives your brain stamina, and this is best done with Superfoods not regular foods. Boosting your brain stamina allows you to perform better at work and at home; engage productively in jobs that require multitasking; finish the side projects you’ve been putting off – rather than feeling like your brain’s turned into a pile of mush by the end of the day.

Unfortunately today, instead of having mental focus, concentration and alertness, many of us feel clouded by a thick layer of brain fog that turns us into mildly functioning zombies, preventing us from reaching our full potential. And while there are many factors that can contribute to cognitive decline (such as chronic stress), your diet plays a crucial role in how well your brain functions.

Firstly, I’d like to take you through foods that impairs and worsens your brain functions and activities before I walk you through how to improve brain function by taking Superfoods as regular meals.

Sabotage Brain Sabotaging Foods to Avoid

 

1. Refined Carbohydrates

If you’re looking to improve your brain function, begin by cutting out refined carbohydrates.

Refined carbs can sabotage your brain function because they rapidly spike and crash blood sugar levels. Since your brain uses glucose for fuel, it depends on steady blood sugar levels to maintain focus, a stable mood and concentration.

Therefore, when you eat foods that increase your blood glucose levels, followed by a sudden crash, your brain is negatively impacted. Blood sugar spikes and crashes promote feelings of confusion, irritability and fogginess as your body tries to normalize such rapid fluctuations. Your brain is made up of 60% fat. A low-fat diet does not help it function! Essential fatty acids such as omega-3’s are directly involved in the synthesis and function of brain neurotransmitters. This means that a low intake of essential fatty acids can lead to impaired memory, a low mood and a lack of attentiveness.

2. Gluten Foods

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, seitan, which is often used as a meat substitute, wheat varieties and derivatives, such as: spelt, durum, couscous, semolina, farina, farro, kamut, einkorn, wheat berries, bulgur, wheat bran, wheat starch, wheat germ, emmer, and graham flour.

Popular foods heavy in gluten include: 

•Breads, including bagels, flatbreads, and pita

•Pastas and some other noodles

•Cakes, crackers, and biscuits

•Pies and pastries

•Some breakfast cereals

•Breadcrumbs and coatings

•Croutons

•Many meat substitutes

•Malts, such as malt extract, syrup, flavoring, or vinegar

•Brewer’s yeast

Gluten is another brain-sabotaging nutrient which iss linked to brain fog and impaired cognitive function. As a common food sensitivity that promotes inflammation in the body, gluten has been shown to cause symptoms such as anxiety, depression and even schizophrenia in the central nervous system.

In addition to gluten, it should also be mentioned that any food sensitivity may impair cognitive function. So, if you feel “fuzzy” on a regular basis, getting tested for food sensitivities or allergies may offer insight to your symptoms.

 

What are these 9 Best Brain Boosting Foods?

Now that you know which dietary factors can prevent your brain from functioning optimally, let’s take a look at the best foods for improving brain function.

1. Cold Water Fatty Fish

 

Naturally occurring Superfoods like sardines, wild salmon and mackerel are known as cold water fatty fishes. They improve brain function due to their high levels of docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, an omega-3 essential fatty acid.

DHA is directly linked to brain development and memory. In fact, DHA is so critical to brain function that babies that did not get omega-3’s from their mothers at pregnancy are at a greater risk for developing nerve and vision problems.

Furthermore, increasing dietary sources of DHA has been shown to improve memory in those with diets low in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Since omega-3 essential fatty acids cannot be made by our bodies, we must obtain them from dietary sources.

Important Note: 

Wild fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel are recommended over other varieties of fish such as tuna and tilapia because they’re higher in omega-3’s and less likely to absorb high levels of environmental toxins.

Since most tilapia and cat fishes available to us is farmed, they are lower in omega-3 essential fatty acids. This is because farmed tilapia and cat fishes are usually fed a corn and soy diet, which are two foods that promote inflammation. However, wild tilapia are shown to be higher in omega-3’s.

Lastly, always choose wild salmon over farmed salmon whenever possible. Farmed salmon has been shown to be contaminated with up to ten times more toxic environmental pollutants than wild salmon.

2. Walnuts

 

Walnuts contain high levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which, as you now know, are mandatory for healthy cognitive function. Walnuts also contain several different antioxidants, such as polyphenols. Polyphenols can help boost brain function because they help disarm free radicals in the body, which have been shown to destroy brain cells.

Since walnuts are an easy grab-n-go snack, they’re the perfect brain-boosting food to keep at your desk or take with you on the road. 

3. Chlorella

 

Chlorella is a green algae that can help boost brain power, thanks to a unique nutrient it contains called Chlorella Growth Factor, or CGF.

As suggested by the name, CGF can only be found in chlorella. And the reason why Chlorella Growth Factor can help improve brain function is because it contains the nucleic acids RNA and DNA.

RNA and DNA have many roles – but most importantly, they help the brain synthesize the proteins that regulate every biological function in our bodies. This includes the growth and development of our brains as well as how we move, think, behave and feel.

You can take O’Leaf chlorella Powder as a natural nutritional supplement, or add chlorella powder or granules to your smoothies and green juices.

4. Berries

Blackberries, goji berries, blueberries, acai berries – any type of berry is beneficial for brain function. This is because berries are a rich source of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C.

Vitamin C reduces the oxidative stress caused by toxins that can damage brain cells. In fact, the antioxidant activity in berries has also been shown to reduce and prevent symptoms of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Hemp Seeds

 

Hemp seeds offer an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids and the antioxidant vitamin E. Hemp seeds originate from the same cannabis plant as marijuana, but contain very low levels of THC—the psychoactive chemical responsible for the marijuana high. Instead, hemp seeds are a great source of essential nutrients such as protein and fibre, which help balance blood sugar levels to maintain healthy cognitive function.

6. Avocado

 

Foods that are highest in essential fatty acids and antioxidants are the best foods to eat to boost your brainpower. So, it’s no surprise that avocado, one of the richest sources of essential fatty acids and vitamin E, made the list.

Avocados contain a compound called choline, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Acetylcholine, which helps control nerve and memory function, makes up part of our central nervous system.

7. Grass-Fed Beef

 

Grass-fed meat is significantly higher in nutrients and lower in toxins than factory-farmed meat (plus, many agree it tastes better). This is because a grass-fed diet provides animals with EPA and DHA, two omega-3 essential fatty acids, while a corn and grain diet does not.

Furthermore, grass-fed beef is one of the best sources of CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, which has also been shown to improve brain function. 

While all varieties of grass-fed meat will contain omega-3 essential fatty acids that help boost brain function, grass-fed beef is a particularly beneficial as a brain food because it’s also rich in iron. Iron helps transport oxygen-rich blood to your brain, which is absolutely critical for cognitive function.

8. Egg Yolks

 

Egg yolks are a rich source of choline, a nutrient that’s often grouped with B vitamins. Choline is one of the most important nutrients for brain function because it’s a precursor to acetylcholine. And as mentioned above, acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that regulates cognitive function.

In fact, low levels of choline have been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. So if you only eat the egg whites, do your brain a favor and eat the yolk.

9. Coconut Oil

 

Coconut oil’s role in brain function has most recently been studied for reducing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) found in coconut oil are responsible for improving cognitive function.

As a stable saturated fat, coconut oil is safe to cook with at high temperatures. It can also be used as a replacement to butter or shortening in baking recipes. If you drink coffee, you may enjoy adding 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to your coffee, which promotes cognitive function and all-day energy without the caffeine crash 

Summary

As you can see, with the absence of refined sugar and gluten, and an abundance of brain-boosting foods such healthy fats and antioxidants, adopting a antioxidants rich diet is one of the best ways to naturally boost your cognitive function.

And not only does improving your cognitive health with essential nutrients reduce your risk of neurodegenerative diseases, but it also provides you with increased mental stamina to create more success and fulfillment in your life.