Monday, May 16, 2011

Superfoods to BOOST brain power

Gud2Eat.com
Everyone wants a good memory, so you need to eat right! Here are the foods that will make you brighter and sharper.

  1. Dark Chocolate: A few Dark Chocolate squares help sharpen your brain for a short time. Dark Chocolate contains Phenylethylamine that stimulates the brain to produce neurotransmitter Serotonin which helps boost your mood.
  2. Natural Sugar enhances alertness:Eating complex carbs like some fruits, veggies, grains, beans enhances alertness and mental ability. Eating simple carbs or too much sugar results into impaired memory and additional pounds.
  3. Water helps lower stress:Studies state that when your body is dehydrated you will be stressed & anxious as the body has  increased your cortisol levels (stress hormones). A simple way to de-stress - drink a glass of water. Your blood is 82 percent water and both your brain and muscles, are 75 percent water. Drinking plenty of water can help with mental clarity and at times prevents the release of stress hormones.
  4. Nuts are positive mood enhancers: For brainpower and to balance your moods eat Walnuts, Cashews, Almonds, Peanuts and Hazelnuts. Nuts can help clear up brain fog and enable you to think clearer and are positive mood enhancers.
  5. Whole Grains helps elevate your mood: Whole Grains are rich in Vitamin B1 or Thiamine that serves an important role in maintaining a healthy nervous system and metabolizing carbohydrates. Vitamin B1 or Thiamine intake also elevates mood.
  6. Honey - Brain Food that helps enhance alertness: The glucose in honey is quickly absorbed and gives energy and boosts performance, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy & together they help reduce muscle fatigue.
  7. Vitamin D brightens your mood: Sunshine Vitamin or Vitamin D can help brighten your mood. Optimize your Vitamin D levels with 10-20 minutes of soft sunlight couple of times a week.
  8. Peanuts helps boost mental alertness: Fruits and Nuts that contain trace mineral Boron are considered Brain Food as Boron stimulates the brain and boosts mental alertness. Boron is also found in Legumes, Broccoli, Apples, Peaches and Grapes...
  9. Cashews - Mood Boosting & Energizing Foods: Cashews, Almonds, and Hazelnuts contain Magnesium, which plays a vital role in converting sugar into energy. Sugar released helps boost your mood. Magnesium deficiency can drain you of energy.
  10. Oatmeal is Mood Boosting & Energizing: Complex carbs and soluble fiber in Oatmeal helps stabilize your blood-glucose levels and deliver sustained energy. Add more brain nutrients to Oatmeal by adding strawberries.
  11. Oatmeal reduces risk of cognitive decline: Oatmeal contains ferulic acid a potent antioxidant that protects brain cells by neutralizing toxins and helps reduce risk of cognitive decline of aging. Add more brain nutrients to Oatmeal by adding sliced almonds.
  12. Boost brain health with eggs: Eggs are rich in Protein and packed with Choline, which helps memory development. Eggs are rich in Tyrosine an amino acid (protein) which helps make neurotransmitters that increase mental alertness.
  13. Tea: Brain food that helps in being alert: Tea contains both caffeine and the amino acid L-Theanine which can improve alertness, reaction time, and memory. Tea also helps fight effects of stress.
  14. Peaches are feel good fruits:Peaches contain antioxidants Vitamin C and Beta-carotene, which help fight free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidative stress and speed up premature aging & affect many brain functions.
  15. Beans: Mood boosting & energising: Beans are high in Fiber which is an energy stabilizer. Fiber ensures a more steady supply of energy throughout the day. Other foods that contain soluber fiber are Peas, Citrus fruits, Strawberries and Apples.
  16. Leafy greens are mood boosting & energising: Folates or Vitamin B9 in leafy green vegetables, including Spinach and Romaine lettuce helps fight depression. Other good Folate food sources include Legumes, Nuts, and Citrus Fruits.
  17. Walnuts can help lift your mood:Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, that are needed for mood-lifting neurotransmitters to function properly thus help fight depression. Salmon and Flaxseeds are also good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. 
  18. Milk is considered as a feel good food: Milk contains high amount of Calcium that helps reduce your stress levels and anxiety. Milk contains amino acid Tryptophan that helps your body produce Brain Chemical Serotonin, which elevates your mood.
  19. Spinach: Folates or Vitamin B9 in Spinach helps fight depression. Magnesium in Spinach plays a vital role in converting sugar into energy and Magnesium deficiency can drain you of energy.
  20. Hot chocolate helps you focus: Caffeine in hot chocolate stimulates your metabolism and temporarily improves mental focus and energy. Too much of caffeine kills sleep leading to fatigue and stress.
  21. Fluid filled fruits help energize your brain:Fresh Fruits and vegetables that have a high water content help you stay hydrated and energized. Fruits and vegetables contain natural sugar that is brains preferred energy source and water that helps release stress. 
  22. Which foods help fight depression? : Complex carbohydrates found in Beans, Potatoes, and Whole Grains increase bioavailability of Tryptophan in the brain. Tryptophan helps produce brain chemical Serotonin that elevates your mood.
  23. Yogurt help boost your mood:Consuming Calcium rich foods like Yogurt helps alleviate depression and anxiety. A cup of Yogurt contains about 488 mg of Calcium that helps boost your mood. 
  24. Bananas elevate your mood in a jiffy? Mood problems are usually related to stress or missing nutrients in your diet. A single banana actually packs a good energy boost and is high in Magnesium that boosts your mood.

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