We all have days when we want to slap our foreheads after forgetting vital information related to our presentation, or forgetting where we placed our car keys just when we are running late for a very important meeting with a client. Perhaps you continue to wonder what you could have done to become a straight A student way back in high school. No matter what our concerns are, the bottom line is this: we all want to have super brains, especially as we age.

Aging need not be associated with memory impairment all the time. That is why we always emphasize the importance of starting to live healthily at a young age. But then again, if you are over 50 years old, it is never too late to start now.

There are natural ways to deal with almost anything nowadays. The natural treatment and therapies market has grown so big after people have realized that synthetic medications, surgeries and the like are not totally safe because of the side and adverse effects that they bring. So if you want to be smart and have super brains as you age, here are some of the foods which you can incorporate in your daily diet:

• Apples

  An apple a day does not only keep the doctor away but apparently, it keeps your brain healthy too! This refreshing fruit, available in various varieties at different times of the year, contain catechins, a form of antioxidant which helps give us super brains by protecting our brain cells from damage-inducing chemicals that are present in the products that we use on a day to day basis. When choosing apples, remember to go for the organic ones. Catechins are found on the skin of the apple fruit, and the skin is the part which is mostly exposed when fruits are sprayed with chemical pesticides. Organic products means that they were not treated with pesticides.

• Beets

  Beets contain vitamin B which is actually good for our brains. This vitamin helps us to process data quickly and allows us to remember important memories. Aside from this, beets are also a natural form of antidepressants which reduces stress levels and helps us focus. Beets are also good for the heart because they contain folate. When wanting to eat beets, do not buy those that are found in cans. The inside of the cans may be lined with bisphenol A (BPA). This is a chemical which seriously impair our body’s natural hormone systems.

• Berries

  Berries are very affordable, and these delightful fruits are accessible all throughout the year too, so there really is no excuse for not eating. Berries are considered to be brain boosters because of the compounds that they possess. Blueberries and raspberries, for example, contain anthocyanins which has a protective effect on brain cells. Strawberries have fisetin compounds which helps strengthen long term memory. A study conducted in Britain revealed that people who ate a cup of blueberries each day had markedly improved their memories in a span of few months. So when looking for a fruit that could help keep your brains healthy, you need not look far!

• Brussels Sprouts

  Eat your Brussels sprouts because they are good for you. This cruciferous plant has been proven to contain molecules which our bodies convert a substance which boosts the function of our immune system. The substance, as discovered by scientists, is called diindolymethane. This helps protect our new brain cells. Furthermore, the antioxidant content of Brussels sprouts help neutralize the negative effects of free radicals, the culprit that is said to be the main cause of cancer and which is produced because of the oxidative processes happening inside our body.

• Cayenne

  Cayenne found in hot peppers contains a compound called capsaicin. It is well-known for its ability to fight fat and relieve pain. However, authors of The Happiness Diet, Drew Ramsey, MD and Tyler Graham, revealed that our brains can also take advantage of the health benefits that hot pepper has to offer. Our brain is said to actually contain lots and lots of capsaicin receptors which, when triggered, releases the happy hormone known as endorphins. This hormone reduces stress and makes it easier for us to focus on more important things in our lives.

• Dark Chocolate

  Go ahead, you can just give in to your chocolate cravings, provided that you eat the dark kind. Do not choose milk chocolates because they contain high amounts of sugar. When choosing chocolate, keep this in mind: the darker the chocolate is, the better it is for you. Dark chocolate contain compounds called flavanols. This compound help enhance the function of your circulatory system, allowing improved blood flow going to the brain. More blood flow to the brain means better brain functions.

  Studies revealed that dark chocolate could significantly improve your math skills. In 2009, a study divided the participants in groups of three. They were then asked to count backwards. Results showed that the group who drank hot cocoa with flavanols had better calculation skills and their chances of getting mentally tired and drained were lesser compared to the group who did not drink cocoa.

• Kale

  Kale, like Brussels sprouts, belongs to the cruciferous family. Its cousins include the cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. This family contains potent agents which fight off brain aging. A study conducted at Harvard Medical School in more than 13,000 women revealed that those who ate cruciferous vegetables lowered the age of their brain by one to two years. Kale is very easy to grow. You can plant them in your backyard garden and enjoy the health benefits that it can give you.

• Pumpkin Seeds

  Who would have thought that something big could come out of something so small? The pumpkin seed teaches us the lesson of not judging the book by its cover. Small as it is, the pumpkin seed is power packed with tryptophan, a very important building block necessary to maintain brain health. Tryptophan is vital for the formation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter which helps regulate mood while ensuring a healthy brain. So the next time you are looking for something to munch on while on a break from work, go for pumpkin seeds. Not only are they a delight to eat, they also are tiny treasures that are packed with nutrients that are good for you.

Sources
health.yahoo.net
alternet.org
suite101.com
coedmagazine.com