Our diet is one of the most important components that contributes to our overall health and wellness. It is also a component that we have complete control over. We eat certain foods to maintain our weight, to protect our heart, to strengthen our immune system, and even improve the quality of our skin, but it is above all most important that we eat for our brain. What is good for our brain is good for the rest of our body.
Brain-boosting nutrition will definitely be a focal trend of this upcoming year. We seem to be busier than ever between our careers, our families, our social lives, and our individual interests. We are asking our brains to juggle a lot of different things on top of all of the involuntary actions that it is constantly performing.
Not to mention Alzheimer’s dementia is on the rise! Today, 5.7 million Americans of all different ages are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Every 65 seconds someone develops it, and by the middle of this century is it estimated that those seconds will decrease to every 33.
There is no definitive preventative practice to avoid the development of Alzheimer’s and memory and brain function deterioration as we age. However, your diet plans a significant role in the health of your brain. Our brains need brain food!
The good news is brain food is not only tasty but very accessible. Our brains want food that is rich in vitamin K, omega-3, lutein, folate, beta carotene, flavonoids, theobromine, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, selenium, manganese, and potassium.
The top brain foods include kale, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, walnuts, avocado, flaxseed, wild and sustainably-caught salmon, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and raw cacao. Coconut oil and olive oil are also beneficial for the integrity and function of your brain.
Aside from eating foods that support your brain, it is also of the utmost importance that you drink enough water throughout the day. According to Medical Daily, nearly 75% of Americans don’t drink enough water. Your brain’s content is 80% water and proper hydration is essential for nearly all functions in the body. The average person should be drinking at least two liters of water a day. That breaks down to around eight cups of water, which is a very manageable amount if you are conscious of it.
When our brains start to go, everything starts to go with it. Your present and future life depends on this powerhouse organ, and it is your responsibility to keep it properly fueled. Eating the right foods is one of the easiest and best things that you can do for your brain and the rest of your body.