Health & Life Magazine April 2017

It’s no secret that brain function begins to decline as
we grow older. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible
to boost the brain’s output and diminish the effects of
aging. Certain foods can have powerful effects on your
brain’s overall health, impacting memory, alertness, and
cognitive function. Read on to discover some of the
most powerful food sources for improving your brain.
Whole Grains
Green Tea
Leafy Greens
Olive Oil
Whenever possible, you should
strive to swap wheat and refined
flour products with whole
grains. They are high in fiber
and packed with vitamins and
nutrients that promote lower
blood pressure and reduce
cardiovascular inflammation.
Healthy blood flow is essential
for a healthy brain, and reducing
the risk of hypertension through
whole grains is a simple way
to help. Some of the healthiest
whole grains include amaranth,
buckwheat, quinoa and millet.
When it comes to green tea,
ditch the bottled or powdered
varieties and opt for tea leaves
instead. Freshly brewed green
tea contains a host of potent
antioxidants, such as catechins,
which fight the damage caused
by free radicals. But that’s not
all: green tea contains just
the right amount of caffeine
(a quarter of the amount in a
regular cup of coffee), which
in moderation helps improve
memory and concentration.
Dark green vegetables,
such as broccoli, spinach
and collard greens, contain
high levels of B vitamins and
vitamin K, which help stimulate
the brain, boost short-term
memory, and improve general
cognitive function.
Olive oil is an excellent source of
healthy fat that the brain and body
requires to function at optimum
capacity. Studies have shown that
using olive oil instead of cooking
sprays or margarine can lead to
a lower risk of cardiovascular
disease, high blood pressure,
stroke, and memory loss. Adding
a dash of olive oil to just one meal
per day is enough to reap the
powerful benefits.
The loss of brain function is a real threat, but countless studies have demonstrated that making dietary
changes can have an enormous impact on reducing the risks of age-related degeneration. By adding
some of the above foods to your daily diet, it is possible to keep your brain healthy, alert, and functioning at
the highest level possible. Give your brain what it needs; why not try one of these mouth-watering recipes?
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APRIL 2017