Food for Thought: These Nutritious Foods Will Boost Your Brain

BY Egypt Today staff

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 – 03:51 GMT

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Egypt Today

Edited for content

Our Takeaways:

· The foods and supplements we take play a significant role in maintaining good health

· The regular consumption of healthy fats are vital for proper cognitive functioning

· Caffeine in moderation is an excellent adjunct to a nootropic supplement and diet plan

As we age, our brain functions and memory tend to become less sharp as compared to what they used to be when we were younger. The choices of the food we eat play a vital role in our overall health. Just like different body organs need certain nutrients and foods to stay healthy, the brain as well needs certain foods to help you stay alert, more focused, and maintain concentration and focus in your day-to-day functions. While foods don’t work like instant magic pills, consistency in eating clean and healthy is key. Here are top brain food that will boost its functions.  

Fatty Fish Fatty fish are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for brain health. Omega-3s help improve memory and brain functions. Also, consumption of fatty fish has been linked to lower risks of dementia and mental capabilities decline. Salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel are all fatty fish rich in omega-3s.  

Walnuts Just as good as walnuts are for the heart, they are great for the brain too. Walnuts are a plant-based source of vitamin E, protein, and healthy fats which both help with cognitive functions and sharper memory. Consume a handful of walnuts on a daily basis as a healthy snack or include them in your salads.  

Blueberries Blueberries or berries in general are rich in antioxidants that protect your brain against free radicals and oxidative stress. Also, researches show that flavonoids help improve memory. Berries also reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease.   

Eggs Eggs are rich in B vitamins as well as choline, a nutrient responsible for boosting memory and maintaining the structure of brain cells. Additionally, B vitamins help lower the risk of depression and dementia and help uplift the mood.  

Beets Beets improve brain functions by increasing the blood flow to the brain. Researches show that drinking 2 glasses of beet juice a day had a significant impact on brain function, increasing concentration and promoting sharper memory.  

Coffee and tea Both coffee and tea have a bigger role than the short-term focus boost they give you in the morning. The caffeine in coffee and tea speed up information processing and gives your brain function a boost. People who drink coffee regularly, but also in moderation, were proven to be at lower risk of Alzheimer’s.  

Avocados Avocados are a source of healthy unsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats which help reduce blood pressure linked to cognitive decline. Additionally, avocados contain antioxidants such as carotenoids, vitamin C and E which all help reduce inflammation. 

7 Productive Things to Do Instead of Spending Money

7 Productive Things to Do Insteaf of Spending Money money worries

7 Productive Things to Do Insteaf of Spending Money money worriesWith the holidays approaching, stress levels are on the rise. One of the most common stressors for this time of year is — MONEY!

Gifts and travel and entertaining and eating out… well, it all adds up to a lot of money being spent, and even if you’re doing well with your budget, just this uptick in spending can be stressful.

This stress can make you more irritable and can even negatively impact your relationship with your significant other. Stress and anxiety are also a leading factor in erectile dysfunction!

Check out my list of 7 productive things you can do, instead of spending money.

  1. 7 Productive Things to Do Insteaf of Spending MoneyGo for a walk – by yourself, with your partner, or with your favorite 4-legged friend. Even in the winter time, even in the snow, check out the beauty around you. Snow on the ground – or even just the stark contrast of a leafless tree against a gray sky. If you’re with your partner – hold hands. If you’re alone – put in some headphones with your favorite music playing.
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  2. Do a puzzle – I know that sounds old fashioned, but puzzles are like the original Farmville. You have a sense of accomplishment for completing tasks! Plus, putting a puzzle together actually exercises your brain. Do it with your partner, with the TV and cell phones off, and just enjoy being together. Your local library may even have some puzzles you can check out for FREE!
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  3. Call a relative – Just to say “Hi!” In today’s world, chances are most of your non-face-to-face communication is electronic – e-mail, text, personal messages, etc.. But, that’s not the same as actually hearing another person’s voice. So, give someone you love a call! If you both have the ability to video chat – that’s even better! You don’t have to have a reason to call – just call to chat.
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  4. Prep for the week ahead – While this one isn’t fun while you’re doing it, it’ll make the rest of your week SO much easier, you’ll be glad you did it! Iron all of your clothes for the coming week. Plan out what you’re having for dinner for the week and prep any veggies you can (like dicing onions, etc) and putting the things you need all together in one spot. If you make lunches, do what prep you can for the week there too. MrKimberly likes turkey-roast beef-and Swiss sandwiches. I take the three and make up sandwich portions – layering some turkey, some roast beef, then 2 slices of Swiss, with a little piece of wax paper between that portion and the next. That way, when I go to make his lunch for the day, I have the meat already pre-portioned out. Yes, I feel a little like Subway. 😉
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  5. Do yoga or meditate – Yoga and meditation are 2 of the best stress relievers! In fact, if you have high blood pressure, you should be doing both every single day! The great thing about the Internet is you don’t have to pay for a gym membership or even buy a yoga mat to do these exercises. YouTube has LOTS of great instructional videos that will walk you through a yoga routine or lead you calmly through a meditation. No need to dress up or even leave your own home!
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  6. Dance – Dance like no one is watching by yourself. Turn on your favorite music and just have FUN! Or, if your partner’s around – dance with them! Heck, YouTube again has great instructional dance videos – you can learn to Salsa or Cha-Cha or Floss or any of a million dance moves!  All free!
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  7. Draw and/or color – Drawing and coloring (or painting or any artistic endeavor) is something we used to do all the time as kids. We used art as a way to express ourselves. We also used it to build our self-esteem. Do you remember how good it felt when your artwork was put up on the wall at school for display? Or even when your parents hung it on the refrigerator?  You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy creating art. Doodle even. Stick figures. Whatever. Just let your inner child come out and create for a little while!