Foods To Naturally Improve Your Memory
“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” — Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
In a literal sense, the above phrase is actually true. If we trace back the origin of human development, the kind of food we consume provides the foundation of the structure and function of every little cell in our body. But how does it really works?
There’s no denying that level of physical or mental work we do these days is nothing like it was before. Especially if you are a someone from the business world. Considering the level of competition that individuals, teams, and businesses are facing these days, stress and poor health are quite common. Regardless of numerous project management tools and software solutions available out there, teams/individuals face a hard time staying on top of their daily to-dos.
On top of that, there have been many changes in our eating habits over the years. In simple words, our eating habits have gone from bad to worse. However, we can still improve our chances of living and maintaining a healthy life (professional and personal) by making a few “smart” changes in our diet. If your aim is to boost your brain power and memory, you will have to focus on foods that are a great source for nutrients like Magnesium, Zinc, Folic acid (B9), Vitamin B6, Vitamine B12, Vitamins C, Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Huperzine A, and more.
If you are thinking about consulting a professional to get a few motivational tips for success and good health, you can save yourself from all the expensive appointments and take a look at the list of foods that improve memory. Below I’ve compiled a list of food that is considered an excellent source of brain power. The foods that I have listed here are all great in flavors and easy-to-find. That means you have to search a lot or make compromises with taste. So, let’s take a quick look.
Avocados
The first in the list is one of my favorites and indeed one of the healthiest brain foods you can try. I personally consider avocados as a green powerhouse packed with everything that my brain needs. There are many people who often consider avocados as bad, but that’s just inaccurate information. Avocados contain monounsaturated fat that is actually quite helpful in maintaining steady sugar levels and a glowing skin.
Avocados contain vitamin K and folate, nutrients that prevent a blood clot in the brain and are great for both memory and concentration. Also, they are rich in protein and have the lowest level of sugar as compared to any other fruit you consume. And not to mention the creamy texture that makes Avocados a great replacement for smoothies and baked products.
Blueberries
“Good things come in small packages” — the statement fits perfectly in the case of blueberries. That’s because they are small, packed with great health benefits, and have an all-natural candy-like taste that no one can resist.
Speaking of health benefits, blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant-rich available today. They contain high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, and gallic acid, nutrients that help to good at protecting the brain against stress and degeneration. If you are thinking about adding blueberries to your daily diet, do try blueberry smoothie and pumpkin blueberry pancakes. They’re delicious!
Broccoli
Well, your mom must have forced you to eat broccoli at some point in your life. You might not be a very big fan of broccoli but it is without a doubt one of the best brain foods.
It has high levels of vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, and choline that help to keep your memory sharp and increase productivity. Now, if you are done eating overcooked, tasteless broccoli, try creamy broccoli soup and broccoli pesto dip. These recipes will turn you into a broccoli lover in no time.
Beets
They might remind you of your bad childhood recipes but seems like beets is an intimidating food choice for vegetable lovers. That’s because this root vegetable contains some of the most essential nutrients that you need.
If you need a reason to add beets to your shopping list, here is what you need to hear: regular consumption of beets reduces inflammation, removes toxins from the blood, boosts blood flow to the brain, and elevates your energy and performance levels. If you are looking for creative new ways to eat beef, try it with goat cheese salad.
Celery
Do you know that celery is one of the few vegetables that provide the lowest calories (just 16 per cup)? Now, for a brain food with such low calories, celery sure has some amazing benefits to offer. It acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and helps to ease the inflammation symptoms like joint pain and bowel syndrome thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and polysaccharides.
And since it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are low in calories, celery sure makes a great snack for those who are struggling with their increasing weight. If you are not sure where, to begin with eating celery? I would suggest you try it with stir-fries and soups.
Coconut Oil
Ahh, here comes the most versatile food you can have in your kitchen stock — coconut oil. We all have used coconut oil as both a natural remedy and an amazing food ingredient. With more than 99 uses and cures, I believe that there is practically nothing that coconut oil can’t help with.
Now, when it comes to your brain and memory, coconut oil has a variety of benefits to offer. It basically has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to suppress cells that are responsible for causing inflammation. It also helps to boost memory and destroy bad bacteria as you age. Do you need your delicious, healthy dose of coconut oil? Try coconut cilantro sauce and coconut crust pizza.
Dark Chocolate
Not all chocolates are bad for your health, in fact, eating dark chocolate is actually good for you! Dark chocolate is basically a chock full of flavors and flavonols. Flavonols are known for its rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is extremely helpful in lowering blood pressure and improving the flow of blood to both brain and heart.
But wait! Don’t go munching on chocolates just yet. That’s because most of the chocolates that you will find in the market are highly processed. That means they are filled with flavors but have fewer health benefits. Remember, the darker the chocolate, the healthier. So, give yourself a sweet treat with dark chocolate cookies or chocolate-covered almond.
Egg Yolks
If you have been avoiding eating egg because of cholesterol concerns, I have a good news for you. Recent studies have clearly shown that eating eggs has no negative effect on cholesterol levels in a healthy adult. In fact, it actually helps to improve the good cholesterol level.
Eggs are one of the most inexpensive sources of brain power. Even the egg yolk contains chlorine that helps in fetal brain development, especially in pregnant women. It also breaks down a chemical that helps to produce hormones related to happiness. Yes, you heard it right, eating eggs can actually make you a happy person! Are you looking for some awesome egg-inspiration? Go and give salmon egg bake a try.
Green, Leafy Vegetables
Well, I believe Popeye’s obsession over spinach was actually justified. Many health experts have agreed to the fact that regular consumption of leafy, green foods (kale, chard, lettuce, and more) help to keep dementia at bay.
When it comes to brain food, green and leafy veggies are a must on your plate. These green, leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins A and K, nutrients that help to fight inflammation, maintain healthy bones, and improve brain memory. If you want to reap the many benefits of green and leafy vegetables, I would recommend you to try walnut spinach salad and kale chips.
Salmon
Are you a seafood lover? If so, then it’s time for you to get excited because salmon is the next nutritious brain food in this list. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that are extremely helpful in keeping your brain function smoothly and improve your memory.
For kids, eating salmon helps to prevent ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) by boosting attentiveness and improving focus. That’s not all, salmon also contains fatty acids that help to prevent cancer and kill tumors. I must say, for a four-ounce serving of fish, salmon offers some pretty amazing benefits.
Turmeric
Isn’t it amazing how a simple spice from your kitchen shelf can offer you amazing health benefits? Well, that’s the exact case with turmeric. Turmeric is an ancient root that has been known for its healing properties. It contains a chemical compound known as curcumin that makes it one of the most powerful and natural anti-inflammatory agents available.
Regular intake of turmeric helps to keep your antioxidant levels stable, boost immunity, improves brain’s oxygen intake, and keeps you alert. If you are thinking about giving your body and mind a fresh start every morning, start your day with a cup of turmeric tea.
Rosemary
If you are one of those people who always go for health before taste, then you must already know that rosemary herb/oil offers a variety of health benefits. One of the main ingredients of rosemary is Carnosic acid that protects the brain from neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s, strokes and normal aging.
With high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary also helps to protect your sight against deteriorating. Looking for creative ideas to serve fresh rosemary? Try sweet potato rosemary fries.
What would you like to try?
So, this is my list of brain foods that are good for your overall health and memory. Go ahead, decide what to eat to improve memory, mix it up with a bunch of good ingredients, and invent your very own brain-boosting recipe. Also, share it in the comments below. I would love to try it!
About Author:
Vartika Kashyap runs the marketing team at ProofHub — a project management software for teams of all sizes. She is a seasoned marketing professional who is an expert in digital marketing and entrepreneurship. She’s been featured among LinkedIn’s Top Voices for the year 2017 & 2018. Connect with Vartika on LinkedIn, Medium and Twitter.
