8 Brain Boosting Foods to Improve Memory

There’s no doubt that nutrition plays a major role in brain health. There’s no better time to learn about brain-boosting foods than National Nutrition Month. To boost memory and brain function, you need to eat food that encourages good blood flow to the brain. Having a nutritious, well rounded diet will significantly increase the chances that you or your senior loved one’s brain will remain healthy for longer. 

Here are eight memory boosting foods for you or senior loved one to start eating and incorporating into your diet.

1. Avocados
Avocados are nutrient-dense. They contain both Vitamin K and folate, which help prevent blood clots in the brain and help improve cognitive function, particularly for memory and concentration. Avocados are also 75 percent monounsaturated fats (the healthy kind of fat), which boost memory and support the learning brain chemical. So, yes we love avocados and you should too!

2. Leafy Greens
You can never have enough leafy greens, but a quick tip, the darker and richer the color the better. They are loaded with Vitamins K (essential for verbal memory) and A, and these help fight inflammation. Greens like kale (which contains a lot of vitamin B that can stop memory loss and reduce brain aging), spinach, Swiss chard and romaine lettuce help keep dementia away. 

3. Beets
Beets may be the secret food to improve memory. They contain a lot of natural nitrates that advance blood flow to the brain, which in turn raises mental performance. Drinking beet juice daily helps increase blood flow to the part of the brain that is associated with dementia. 

4. Salmon

Salmon has several health benefits, which includes helping maintain proper brain nutrition. It is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that help maintain the functioning of the brain as well as improving memory. It also has high DHA levels, which is essential for good brain function. Low levels of DHA have been linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.

5. Turmeric
Part of the ginger family, Turmeric, helps lift antioxidant levels and maintains the healthiness of your immune system. At the same time, it improves the brain’s oxygen intake, keeping you attentive and able to process information. Turmeric also can break up the brain plaques that may cause Alzheimer’s.

6. Blueberries
Blueberries, also known as “Brainberries”, are antioxidant-packed and may help protect the brain from oxidative stress. They are a rich source of particular flavonoids that boost memory function, and they may be effective in improving short term memory loss, too. 

7. Broccoli
Broccoli should make its way into as many of your meals as possible. It is a great source of Vitamin K, enhancing cognitive function and improving brainpower in general. But, it also has a high level of compounds that can slow the breakdown of a certain neurotransmitter which we need to keep our memory sharp. 

8. Walnuts 
Try to build walnuts into your midday snacks or add them to a salad for an extra crunch, as they are another brain boosting food. They improve working memory and contain high amounts of omega-3 fats and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce brain inflammation. 

Start incorporating these brain-boosting foods into your diet today. If you or your senior loved one is worried about memory loss, start to reduce your risk of disease by using these food tips. Learn more about memory care from Enlivant. 

Sources:
https://www.rewireme.com/wellness/11-foods-boost-clarity-memory/
http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/wellness/healthy-aging/memory-boosting-foods
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower
https://bebrainfit.com/brain-foods/