Brain Food Diet
Overview
According to "Psychology Today," "the right food, or the natural neurochemicals that they contain, can enhance mental capabilities" in seven different ways. It has been reported that some foods, particularly those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help you concentrate better, tune up sensorimotor skills, keep you motivated to be able to complete tasks, magnify memory, speed reaction time, relieve stress as it arises and even prevent aging of the brain.
Fish
According to LiveScience.com, Leigh Gibson of Roehampton University in England is quoted as saying that "People who eat diets high in saturated fat are more susceptible to cognitive deficits." However, omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be helpful in treating depression and other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Fish is chock-full of omega-3 fatty acids, and according to "New Scientist" magazine, fish is a top-notch brain food, as it feeds and lubricates a developing brain, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in omega-3s also seems to delay dementia.
Eggs
Eggs are also a great source of omega-3s and are an important brain food because they are a good source of choline, which the body uses to manufacture the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. According to "New Scientist" magazine, "low levels of acetylcholine are also associated with Alzheimer's disease, and some studies suggest that boosting dietary intake [of eggs] may slow age-related memory loss." An egg omelette is a good dish to include in a brain food diet.
Oil, Nuts and Seeds
Much is written today about various types of oils for cooking. "Psychology Today" recommends walnut oil and canola oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, rather than corn oil, safflower oil or sunflower oil as they contain little, if any, omega-3s. Additionally, nuts and seeds are another good source of omega-3s and can be eaten with meals, in salads or as a healthful snack.
Salad
According to "New Scientist," salad is a good match for a healthful brain food diet. Filled with fibrous vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, carrots and tomatoes, salads are a rich source of powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and betacarotene, known to destroy damaging free-radicals.
Yogurt
Yogurt is another common food that is considered part of a healthy brain food diet. According to "New Scientist," yogurt contains the amino acid tyrosine, which is vital to the production of dopamine, noradrenalin and other neurotransmitters. Tyrosine is easily depleted by stress, and supplementation of intake may improve both memory and alertness. Adding fresh fruit or nuts to yogurt even improves its value as a brain food.
References
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