Brain Boosting Foods
Are you ready to be smarter by the end of this article? We have you covered with 4 amazing brain boosting foods!
You’ve heard the saying that “you are what you eat,” right?
Well, eating eggs every day obviously won’t make you a chicken, but there is some truth behind this popular bit of wisdom. Especially when it comes to your brain function.
Essentially, the nutrients you gain from the food you eat have a tremendous impact on how your body functions. And in the case of your brain, your diet could be doing more harm than good – leaving Swiss cheese holes in your memory and creating a junk food brain fog that makes concentrating nearly impossible.
Eat Well And Think Well
However, today I’m going to show you a few foods that do the exact opposite, foods that…
- Give you a steel trap memory
- Improve your recall time
- Clear your crippling brain fog
- Jumpstart your brain every time you eat them
If you’ve got a sneaking suspicion that your regular day-to-day diet is leaving your brain numb and unable to handle your day-to-day mental tasks, then keep reading and let’s return your brain to peak performance.
Brain Boosting Foods Hiding In Plain Sight
I’m sure you’ve heard about broccoli, blueberries, and a million other superfoods that show up in every single health article out there. And they are incredibly healthy, but not for the brain benefits we’re talking about today.
If what you’re after is raw brainpower, then the foods here on my list are truly the cream of the crop.
Now, these top foods for your brain health may be surprising. But they’re backed by scientific research to build a better brain chemistry.
And when you add them to your meals, you’ll certainly notice the difference!
Let’s get started with the first brain-boosting food on the list:
Brain Boosting Foods #4: Egg
For years, people were told by doctors and nutritionists not to eat too many eggs, that they could cause high cholesterol, blocked arteries, and other health issues.
They couldn’t have been more wrong.
It turns out that eggs are one of the most beneficial foods you can eat. Period.
And when it’s about brain health, eggs provide something that nearly no other ingredient can – choline. There’s only one other food on the planet that packs a bigger choline punch than eggs and you’ll find it further on this list.
Ok, so eggs have choline, but…
Why is choline important?
The easy answer is that choline helps your brain produce key neurotransmitters, in particular, one called acetylcholine.
And what that does is sharpen your focus and improve your ability to learn. It’s well known that having a choline deficiency can cause a whole host of cognitive problems, from poor memory to mood changes to an inability to concentrate.
Unfortunately, choline deficiency is a relatively common issue that’s usually related to a person’s diet.
Eggs also bring something else to your brain health – B vitamins, which are extremely important in preventing mental decline.
Pro-Tip: What I like to do is to hard boil a carton of eggs every week and keep them ready to go in the fridge for an easy, cheap, brain-healthy snack. Just peel, add a dash of salt, and enjoy!
Brain Boosting Foods #3: Salmon
Ok, you probably could have guessed this one.
There are plenty of foods that get the superfood label, but with salmon, the hype is real.
The DHA Omega-3’s you’ve heard about are just the beginning of salmon’s brain-enhancing properties. What few people realize is that salmon is also a prime source of DMAE – a brain nutrient that works together with…
Yep, you guessed it – choline.
DMAE increases how much choline your brain can absorb, thus giving you a 1-2 combo that kicks your brain slowdown to the curb!
The important thing to remember is that you always want wild caught salmon instead of farmed if you can find it and fit it into your budget. There are substantially more nutrients in wild caught salmon and it tastes better, too.
Pro-Tip: Marinate salmon fillets in a mixture of soy sauce, lemon juice, and ginger and then grill with asparagus over low heat for a gourmet dinner!
Brain Boosting Foods #2: Avocado
Now, if we were talking about the best-tasting brain foods, avocado would be at the top of my personal list. The creamy, luscious texture of a perfectly ripe avocado goes well with pretty much everything, including both sweet and savory dishes.
With that said, avocado is no slouch when it comes to what it does for your brain.
High in vitamin C and vitamin B, a serving of avocado also delivers vitamin K and folate – both essential in building better cognitive function, focus, and memory. In addition, they’re rich in the healthy monounsaturated fats that keep your blood sugar regulated.
As if that’s not enough, avocados also protect your brain by preventing blood clots.
Pro-Tip: Blend avocado with a handful of blueberries, banana slices, and yogurt for a delicious smoothie or add as a great topping to a salad!
Brain Boosting Foods #1: Liver
Remember when I told you that eggs are the number two source of choline?
Well, liver is number one. And it’s not even very close.
Beef liver provides nearly 50% more choline than eggs, meaning that a single serving of liver every week can put your brain on the right track to run like a well-oiled machine.
But choline isn’t the only component of liver that delivers a veritable brain boost. There’s also a nutrient called phosphatidylserine that enhances your cognitive performance and improves your brain’s response to mental stress.
Now, it’s true that beef, veal, and chicken liver can be an acquired taste, similar to spinach, Brussels sprouts, and other nutrient-dense food.
However, the vast benefits you get from liver are simply undeniable.
Pro-Tip: If beef liver isn’t to your taste, try veal liver or chicken liver, or pate with organ meats for a milder flavor that still packs a healthy dose of choline and phosphatidylserine. Your brain will thank you!
What Else Can I Do To Upgrade My Brain?
Your diet goes a long way in stepping up your mental ability, but it’s not the only thing you can do. For people that are suffering from brain fog or other cognitive problems, I recommend not only diet changes, but also these steps:
- Incorporate physical exercise to improve brain blood flow
- Try meditation for reduced stress and pinpoint focus
- Make sure you’re getting plenty of regular sleep every night
And lastly, spend more time with your friends and family. Social interaction is one of the best things you can do for your brain, your overall health, and your happiness.