Want to improve your mood, stave off memory loss, and stop worrying so much? Look no further than your kitchen cabinet. Get smart and stock up on these six brain-boosting foods.
Get More Brainpower With Blueberries
If you want to protect your memory, grab a handful—or two—of blueberries. There is so much scientific evidence showing how blueberries enhance cognitive performance that neuroscientists have taken to calling them “brainberries.”
In laboratory studies rats that ate blueberries showed a better ability to learn new motor skills and gained protection against strokes. A 2010 study found that drinking a few glasses of blueberry juice boosted memory in older adults who were showing early signs of memory loss. Another study showed that rats that ate a diet rich in blueberries lost abdominal fat.
Lemons: Life’s Natural Moodboosters
Feeling anxious or down in the dumps? Sniff lemons. In one study involving mice, researchers reviewed the effects of lavender, rose, and lemon oil on the brain when the mice were placed in high-stress situations. The lemon oil proved to be the best stress reliever by altering neurotransmitters in the brain and showed anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties.
The citrus scent has also been found to boost memory, improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients, and increase brain processing speed.
Supercharge Your Memory With Cinnamon
Just a whiff of cinnamon can boost memory and cognitive function. A 2004 study found that smelling this fragrant spice or chewing cinnamon gum boosts working memory, attention, recognition, and even visual-motor response speed.
The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reports that cinnamon may aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting the formation of certain proteins that are hallmarks of the disease. Not only that, cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels, which helps you avoid the brain fog that inevitably arrives about 30 minutes after eating candy, cookies, cakes, or other sweets.
Keep Your Brain Young With Broccoli
If you want to avoid those “senior moments,” chomp on some broccoli. Loaded with antioxidants, broccoli can help keep you mentally sharp. Researchers in the Annals of Neurology found that older women who ate the most cruciferous and green leafy vegetables, like broccoli, experienced less cognitive decline than women who ate the least amount of veggies.
The women who consumed the most broccoli and other cruciferous veggies clearly outperformed the other women on tests that measured memory, attention, and thinking skills. The veggie lovers’ cognitive scores were more consistent with women one to two years younger.
Calm Your Brain With Green Tea
One of the ingredients in green tea is l-theanine, which has been scientifically proven to bring the brain into an alpha wave state, which induces relaxation and reduces feelings of anxiety. Not only does it calm your worries, but it also increases concentration and energy.
I recommend up to three cups a day of green tea for health benefits. Any more than that may be a problem due to the caffeine content.
Soothe Sadness With Saffron
If you’ve got a case of the blues, sprinkle some saffron on your food. This popular spice used in rice dishes like risotto has been found to ease symptoms of depression. In fact, a number of studies have found that saffron is as effective as antidepressant medication in treating mild to moderate depression.
The brain benefits of this fragrant spice don’t stop there. Saffron also offers protection against neuronal cell death. And a series of animal studies show that it improves memory, learning, recognition, and spatial memory.
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