When people think about eating healthy, they tend to think about their waistline – when in fact, your lifestyle habits play a large role in determining whether your mind stays robust or declines.
Research shows that memory problems can begin as early as the forties and continue to increase with age. However, giving your brain the nutrients it needs to operate optimally can improve your mood, cognition, and memory and protect it as you age.
Here are three simple tips for focus, memory, mood, and overall brain health.
Eat Turmeric
Indian or Chinese takeout tonight? Go for the former, or better yet, make it yourself. Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (a pungent herb used in curry), has been shown to reduce inflammation in nerve cells, leading scientists to suggest in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology that it may lead to “a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.” Another study, in Stem Cell Research & Therapy, shows that turmeric can support regeneration in neurologic disorders.
Drink Tea
Your daily cup of tea does more than provide a caffeine boost. Results from a long-term study with over 950 subjects showed that regular tea consumption could lower the risk of cognitive decline by 50%, and subjects genetically at risk for Alzheimer’s disease may have up to an 86% reduced risk. According to the lead researcher, bioactive compounds found in tea leaves such as catechins and L-theanine are what give tea its cognitive-boosting benefits. These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help protect the brain.
Focus On Gut Health
The gut-brain relationship is receiving a lot of attention these days. Your intestines are brimming with bacteria, which play a role in a range of bodily functions. Maintaining healthy gut bacteria may help lower inflammation and limit the activity of free radicals, reactive molecules that can damage cells. Both inflammation and cellular decay are thought to be factors in brain dysfunction. By eating to promote a healthy gut, you can protect your brain from degeneration.
Written by The Clean Eating Team for Clean Eating Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
Healthy Snacking, Healthy Brain
Eating the right kind of foods and maintaining optimal gut balance is essential to your brain health.
Protein is the second largest matter in the brain, so it is important to nourish your brain with protein rich foods.
Our premium quality, Truly Grass-fed™ whey isolate protein powder is a great way to get an extra protein boost for you and your brain.
We also include another brain boosting ingredient in our protein powder: Sunflower Lecithin.
Lecithin contains Phosphatidylcholine, which is a chemical your brain uses to communicate. Clinical research suggests that a diet rich in choline can lead to a sharper memory and help people with Alzheimer’s
We use the same healthy protein powder in our protein bars as well. Many of our bars also contain prebiotic fiber in the form of Chicory Root. Chicory root feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut which play a role in reducing inflammation, fighting harmful bacteria, improving mineral absorption, and maintaining overall gut health.
And of course, all our products are designed to treat your body (and brain) well because they are non-GMO, low sugar, sugar alcohol free, hormone free, gluten free, grain and soy free.
