By: Lynda Davos
Submitted: 2010-12-22 19:11:28 | Word Count: 732
It's a well known, stated fact: "Healthy mind, healthy body: healthy body, healthy mind."
And just as a proper diet is good for your body, so it is for your brain.
And the foods that you eat, whether they're considered "good" or "bad" can possibly influence your brain power.
Avoid that Brain Drain!
[ advertisement ]
Your brain is the greediest organ in your body, with some quite specific dietary requirements. So it is hardly surprising that what you eat can affect cerebral function. And like any other organ in your body, your brain also needs the correct fuel to perform well. Unluckily, proper nutrition for the brain is often overlooked by a fast paced lifestyle and often having to eat "on the go".
Take for example, the effect of simple carbohydrates (such as processed flour and sugary foods) on your brain and body. These foods can cause a rush of sugar into your bloodstream, causing Insulin to be released. Insulin works hard to "mop up" all the excess sugar in your blood; trouble is, Insulin is a bit too effective, and can cause blood sugar levels to nose-dive. This is known as Hypoglycemia. But it doesn't stop there. Hypoglycemia can cause the release of Adrenal Hormones: these hormones squeeze stored sugar from the liver, sending blood sugar levels back up. This is known as a "sugar high". So the body goes on a blood sugar roller-coaster, with "sugar highs" and "sugar blues." But it still doesn't stop there, because the ups and downs of blood sugar and adrenal hormones may stimulate brain neurotransmitter imbalance, causing fidgetiness, tetchiness, lack of concentration, and even tiredness.
After all, people work hard to keep their body in good shape for as long as possible, so why not do the same for your brain?
Food for your Brain
Here is a list of my Top Five foods which may effect, and even possibly, double your brain power!
Omega-3 Oils.
Perhaps the number one food for brain health. Omega-3 oils, (or Omega-3 Fatty Acids) are Essential Fatty Acids necessary for human health. They are termed "Essential" because they cannot be produced by the body, and so must be obtained from your diet. Omega-3 oils are beneficial because they provide fluidity to cell membranes and improve communication between brain cells. They may help to boost learning power, but also greatly enhance mood. Foods rich in omega-3 oils include oily fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel. Maybe fish is a "brain food" after all!
Vegetables and Legumes
Unlike processed flour which contains simple carbohydrates, vegetables and legumes contain complex carbohydrates which can supply your brain with a steady source of energy. These include soybeans, kidney beans, chick peas, and lentils.
Soya
Soya contains natural plant Oestrogens called Isoflavones.
They are thought to act on oestrogen receptors in the human brain, chiefly those in the hippocampus, which we know is an important area for memory. As a result, new nerve connections may form more willingly. Medical trials have shown that persons fed a high Soya diet showed improvements in verbal and non-verbal memory and in mental agility. Good sources of Soya include Soya milk and Tofu.
Berries
Fruit such as Blueberries, Blackberries, Cranberries, Strawberries and Raspberries contain anti-oxidants. These help to rid your body of harmful free radicals produced during body cells converting oxygen into energy. Scientific Studies have shown that a good dietary intake of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables will considerably reduce the risk of developing "Cognitive Impairment".
Chocolate
Good news for chocolate lovers! Studies have suggested that eating milk chocolate may boost brain function. Substances like Theobromine, Phenethylamine and Caffeine, present in milk chocolate, can act as stimulants that may point to increased mental performance.
So, the next time you feel tempted to eat that huge sticky donut, think about the result it might have on your brain as well as your body!
Author Resource:-
Lyn Davis is an Educator and advocate of Wellness. She wrote this article so that you can discover Brain Foodwhich may benefit you.
Lyn also reveals other methods in her Fun Brainbook which may even help to Double your Brain Power!
