Eating These Foods Will Boost Your Memory
Do you tend to forget names, places, facts, anniversaries, or where you left your glasses or house keys? If so, there’s good news for you. You can give your memory a leap and bound by eating certain foods. As we live longer today, we have to contend with some age-related disadvantages, including the rise of dementia and cognitive impairment.
A recently published study in the journal Nutrients highlights that dietary components such as carbohydrates, fats, and hormones have a direct impact on cognition. The frequency of consuming healthy or unhealthy foods is directly related to cognitive performance in the elderly. This means that our diet plays a significant role in influencing brain health and the likelihood of developing dementia and neurodegenerative disorders as we age.
So, what are the best foods to eat in order to boost your memory? Here’s the answer.
Green leafy vegetables such as kale, arugula, and chard are among the best memory-boosting foods. A daily portion of green leafy vegetables can positively affect cognitive abilities, thanks to the neuroprotective actions of lutein, folic acid, β-carotene, and phylloquinone. Wasabi, commonly used as a sushi topping, can also improve memory significantly thanks to an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient called 6-MSITC.
Fatty fish, such as salmon and cod, are rich in healthy, unsaturated fats called omegas, which can help reduce blood levels of beta-amyloid, a protein that can build up in plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Walnuts, rich in protein and healthy polyunsaturated fats, have been linked to improved cognitive performance and memory. And berries, particularly blueberries and strawberries, contain high quantities of flavonoids known as anthocyanidins, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and localize in the hippocampus, an area of the brain known for memory and learning.
In addition to diet, other factors such as exercise and smoking habits can also have a significant impact on cognitive health. So, if you want to keep your memory sharp, consider adding these memory-boosting foods to your diet and making healthy lifestyle choices. After all, a healthy body starts with a healthy mind.