​The Best Foods for Brain Health

Jun 15th 2021

​The Best Foods for Brain Health

Written by Karen Roth, MSNC

Karen is a Certified Nutrition Consultant with a Master’s Degree in Holistic Nutrition. She enjoys sharing her knowledge to empower her clients to take control of their health with food and lifestyle choices.

Learning a new language, doing crossword puzzles, and taking on a new hobby are all beneficial for boosting brainpower. But something we do every day is even more powerful: eating. Considering the fact that we eat two to three times per day, not including snacking, what we choose to put in our bodies can have a big impact on brain health.

Foods That Support Cognitive Health

Dark berries, such as blackberries and blueberries, help protect the brain. The antioxidants, particularly the flavonoids, can boost brain cells, improve memory, and increase concentration and focus.

According to a 2017 study by Rush University Medical Center, leafy greens can also support cognitive health. Just one serving a day in the form of a salad for lunch or cooked greens as a side dish for dinner is all we need.

Green tea has been promoted as a healthy alternative to coffee. While it doesn’t have as much caffeine as coffee, it has just enough to support brain health. Caffeine can improve brain function and memory. It also contains the brain-boosting amino acid L-theanine, which increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves. Together, this makes green tea an excellent beverage for brain health.

Go Fish. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, blue fin tuna, and trout are a brain’s best friend. If you don't eat fish often, try a supplement like Olive Your Heart, a blend of omega-3s and olive oil.

Speaking of olive oil, one of its many benefits is promoting cognitive function. Olive oil contains powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals. Choose extra virgin olive oil for its complexity in taste. It's also the purest form, made from the first pressing of the olives.

Pumpkin seeds make an excellent snack while supplying many nutrients needed for brain health. Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and magnesium. Zinc and magnesium are both beneficial for our brains. Those who experience brain fog may have iron deficiency. The good news is, pumpkin seeds also contain iron. Pumpkin seeds can be added to salads, rice, quinoa, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

Choosing brain-boosting foods is easy. Have yogurt with blueberries and pumpkins seeds for breakfast with a cup of green tea. Try a salad with extra virgin olive oil for lunch, and for dinner, salmon with cooked spinach drizzled with olive oil and more pumpkin seeds.