The brain is by far the most important organ in the body. It keeps everything ticking along and keeps all of the body’s systems functioning. Due to this it is essential to keep your brain as healthy as possible. Diet is certainly one way to do this. Our gut plays an important part in this, as it decides what is being absorbed and processed. Our gut also helps keep our body’s immune responses and inflammation under control. Additionally, gut hormones that enter the brain or are produced in the brain influence cognitive ability, like understanding and processing new information, staying focused on the task at hand and recognizing when we’re full [1]. Therefore, having a good, varied and balanced diet is a great way to keep the brain healthy. So, what are these power foods that can help the brain maintain its optimum health? Well mostly they are foods that are high in fats and antioxidants. The brain is primarily full off fats and loves sugar. Hence why when we eat sugary foods, the dopamine receptors in our brain go wild and love that feeling and want more and more of it. By feeding your brain the correct foods, it can have major beneficial long-term benefits to your brain and possibly help against brain degenerative diseases such as alzheimer's and dementia. In addition these foods can have a very beneficial effect on your gut bacteria and overall health. Let us list and discuss the reasons behind these foods now.
Of course there are many more foods that help with brain and cognitive functions such as avocados, red wine, spinach, grains and other beans. The list above should be a good guide to start with. With that said, like with most things, there is also the bad that is the opposite to the good. The below foods should be avoided as much as possible to help maintain a healthy brain.
Your diet definitely has a big impact on your brain health. Inflammatory diet patterns that are high in sugar, refined carbs, unhealthy fats and processed foods can contribute to impaired memory and learning, as well as increase your risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Several other substances in food are dangerous for your brain too [7]. Alcohol can cause massive damage to the brain when consumed in large quantities, while mercury found in seafood can be neurotoxic and permanently damage developing brains. However, this doesn't mean you must avoid all these foods completely. In fact, some foods like alcohol and fish also have health benefits. One of the best things you can do for your brain is to follow a diet rich in healthy, fresh whole foods [7]. If you feel you could benefit from guidance on foods to help improve your memory and concentration or require general guidance on nutritional support and how to live a balanced lifestyle please contact me at habs@urbanplatehealth.com or visit my website by going to www.urbanplatehealth.com References
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