KEEP YOUR PRODUCTIVITY ALL-TIME HIGH WITH THESE 15 FOODS.
Your brain is your most important organ, and with the right ingredients, you can boost brain power by as much as 20%, according to the World Health Organization. Ironically despite its importance the brain gets overlooked – with many more concerned about the health of their heart; but then the brain is required to be conscious for that heart beat! So if you are looking for ways to improve your brain health so that they can stay alert and active, then consider putting these foods on your menu.
- Eggplant
Eggplant has been specifically noted as being good for the brain because it has certain antioxidants that help protect brain cell membranes; keeping it “sharp by enhancing communication between your brain cells and messenger molecules.” (Leftofzen).Eggplant is a very versatile vegetable and is easily incorporated into your diet as a side dish or as part of a main dish.
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- Garlic
Highly valued throughout the ages as a culinary spice, garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Garlic is especially helpful for the brain as It helps thin the blood, which increase the flow throughout the body, including to the brain. It also helps battle free radical damage to the brain, which has been associated with degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s. Lastly, garlic has been shown to be effective in preventing and battling back tumors in the brain. Taking garlic supplements may be an easier way to get the requisite amount of garlic per day.
- Oatmeal
Reducing the amount of cholesterol in your body not only helps your heart, but in turn helps the brain get the amount of oxygen it requires. Oatmeal is one of the top foods to help lower cholesterol, and therefore earns respect as a food that’s good for your brain. The glucose in oatmeal also provides sustenance to your brain, and is a big part of what your brain needs each day to survive.
- Dark Chocolate
If you love chocolates, you’ll want to opt for dark because it has several advantages over milk chocolate. One of those advantages is that it’s shown to improve the amount of blood that flows to your brain. It’s been shown to lessen the chances of getting a stroke, which is one of the most debilitating things that can happen to your brain. They also contain antioxidants, which are absent from milk chocolate, and these antioxidants can slow the aging process, including the aging of the brain.
- Lentils
Lentils are getting more mainstream attention, and it’s because of things like being good for your brain that are the reason. The fiber and antioxidants contained in lentils is what’s given credit, and they help keep the blood circulating to the brain. This can’t be overlooked, as overtime, it can mean the difference between having a healthy, active brain and a sluggish, aged brain.
6. Eggs
There are a few characteristics of eggs that make them good for your brain. The yolks are especially good for the part of your memory that helps you remember short term things like what was the last sentence you made! The protein that eggs contain, typically consumed in the morning as a breakfast, can keep your brain all time high all day.
7. Salmon
One main reason salmon is an excellent meal choice is that it is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids found in salmon will help protect the brain from harm. With a healthy brain, your mind will be more responsive to your daily tasks at work. Also, it will help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed with stressful situations. These benefits will help you immensely in staying productive at work.
8. Banana
The potassium in a banana helps the brain, and low potassium levels can inhibit your ability to think clearly and focus. They also contain fiber to help you meet your daily fiber needs, and tryptophan to keep you in a good mood. Bananas also contain vitamins that are important for brain function.
9. Brown Rice
Putting brown rice rather than white rice on your menu list can actually help your brain, as well as the rest of your body. The reason is that more B Vitamins are in brown rice, and these have an effect on how well your brain works. White rice, on the other hand, loses many of these vitamins during the process of making it white, and therefore you’re missing out on plenty of additional nutrients, the kind you get in brown rice.
10. Tomatoes
Tomatoes have been recommended by the medical community for well over the last decade, because of their lycopene content. They are getting extra attention as of late for the promising signs that they can help prevent Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, dementia, and other degenerative diseases of the brain. Tomatoes are better cooked to absorb the most lycopene from them.
11. Avocados
Avocados are a great resource for those trying to optimize their brain cells. According to WebMD, “every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain”, and avocados help just that. They “[enhance] blood flow, offering a simple, tasty way to fire up brain cells”. They contain almost as much potassium as a banana, which helps oxidize your brain. Also, because they contain fibre, they tend to fend off those annoying hunger pangs which can be distracting. A few slices served with your main meal should much of the work!
12. Blueberries
The antioxidant value of blueberries has been well established, and they have been credited with everything from helping to prevent cancer, to making heart disease less likely. They are also known for helping the brain stay unharmed from free radicals, and this is thought to be a contributor to conditions in the brain that develop as you get older. Eating blueberries on a regular basis should help you stay coherent longer into your life.
13. Carrots
Equally good for the eyes, they’re also good for your brain. It’s often taken as a given that your memory will get worse as you age, but carrots contain luteolin which helps prevent that from happening. The good news is that you can get this benefit both from eating carrots, and from drinking carrot juice.
14. Green Tea
The antioxidants in green tea is what gives it so much popularity, and in addition to helping you lose weight and fight off cancer and heart disease, green tea is a bonus to the brain. Unlike many of the other items on this list, green tea has been shown to potentially help your brain produce new brain cells, something that for years neurologists thought was impossible.
15. Water
Food in its very liquid form! Water keeps you well hydrated and focus on the task at hand; preventing headaches resulting from dehydration. Rehydrating yourself first thing in the morning is a good way to start the day, as you’ve gone a full night without any fluid intake.
Part of this article was culled from: https://skillcrush.com/2014/06/19/foods-that-make-you-productive/
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