Boost Your Brain with These 5 Superfoods

Before diving into today’s topic, I want to express a huge THANK YOU for everyone who voted for me in the Good Times Santa Cruz Best of Awards–I am honored to be awarded the title of Best Nutritionist in Santa Cruz. It is my passion and purpose to support people to create unstoppable health. I am grateful and proud to work with the amazing people in my community and beyond!



Now, back to the brain! There are many ways to boost your brain’s performance. For example, doing exercises can actually improve your cognitive abilities. Those who exercise can effectively use certain areas of the brain as opposed to those who are not…and those who don’t exercise may even take a longer time to finish the same cognitive tasks compared with those who do exercise.

The following foods can also be used to support brain function. 

Avocado

The healthy fats, Omega 3 and Omega 6, in avocados increase blood flow to your brain, enhance nerve interaction, and may prevent strokes.

In 2012, a study found out that monounsaturated fatty acids help protect glial cells in the brain known as astrocytes, which regulate the transmission of electrical impulses within the brain.

In addition, avocado contains a variety of nutrients including 20 different vitamins and minerals, namely vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and more.

Since avocado is very high in healthy fats (In fact, 77% of the calories come from fat.), they are excellent for your heart. Oleic acid, which is the majority of the fats in avocado, has a number of cardiovascular benefits.

Salmon 

Salmon is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid or DHA.

DHA is much needed to help infants’ brains to grow and develop properly. In adults, DHA is likewise important to maintain normal brain function. Plenty of DHA in your diet improves your learning ability while lack of DHA is associated with poor learning abilities.

Almonds

Though all nuts are superfoods, almonds are among the very best. They are packed with vitamin E which increases brain activity.

If you are getting forgetful, try including almonds into your diet. And you don’t need a lot. Even 8-10 almonds (soaked in water overnight) contains a good boost of healthy fats and minerals. Soaking the almonds first helps your body to easily absorb the nutrients. 

Almonds increase the levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps enhance memory and fights neurological degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Spinach

It’s no secret that green, leafy vegetables are great brain boosters, and spinach is no exemption. It is high in brain-healthy nutrients that help prevent or slow down the onset and development of cognitive decline.

Spinach in particular is one of the best sources of magnesium, vitamins E and K, lutein, and folate. These vitamins and minerals improve brain health, increase blood flow in the brain, and enhance the transmission of nerve impulses.

Blueberries

Blueberries are high in antioxidants that protect the brain from aging prematurely and from the damage of stress. Antioxidants are also associated with improving communication among brain cells.

Try incorporating these brain-boosting foods into your diet and experience for yourself the difference they make.

It is my passion to work with people like you whose health symptoms are getting in the way of you living life fully and with a sense of freedom in your body. I can help you to regain your health so you can feel great and free to enjoy life fully. 

If you’re ready to discover where your best health has been hiding, I’d love to connect with you!

Apply for a complimentary Unstoppable Health Discovery Session. bit.ly/schedulinghealth (subject to availability).
 

Until next time, I’m wishing you unstoppable health!
~Rebecca