Nurturing a healthy brain is on par with taking care of your body. Regardless of your age or physical capacity, your food choices can directly impact your cognitive functions and may help your brain to stay healthier for longer.

List of Foods and Drinks To Help Keep Your Brain Healthy

In this post, we outline some of the most highly rated foods and drinks you can eat to boost your brainpower.

#1 Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil has so many health and wellness benefits. It makes sense to switch out your regular cooking oils for this plant-based alternative. Coconut Oils boost the ability of the neurons in the brains so that they can use energy while negating the production of free radicals. It also provides an essential nutrient that helps the brain cell membranes to function correctly.

#2 Oily Fish

Fish is usually at the top of the list when it comes to foods that are beneficial for the brain. Because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, and the brain is made up of around 60% fat, of which half are of this kind; it makes sense that all foods containing omega-3 are great for brain health.

Omega-3 foods can help to slow down cognitive decline with strong connections to aging.

#3 Turmeric

This golden colored spice is another health and wellness gem that also has well-documented benefits for the brain. It is a powerful antioxidant, and because it can pass the blood/brain barriers, it can have a direct effect on cellular health as well.

Some of the scientific studies demonstrate that turmeric may benefit a person’s memory, and it also assists with the development of new brain cells.

#4 Blueberries

Another powerhouse of food that is rich in essential antioxidants is blueberries. In fact, most berries that are deeply colored carry similar benefits in terms of acting out against inflammation and oxidative stress; both of which have strong links to cognitive decline. Certain studies have also demonstrated strong ties to the antioxidants contained in blueberries with improved memory.  

#5 Nuts

Having a healthy heart is a crucial component of a healthy brain. The inclusion of nuts in your diet can help with both the heart and brain health, making them an essential staple of any health-conscious diet. Recent studies indicate that eating nuts may help with the prevention of neurological diseases and improved cognition.

#6 Eggs

Eggs contain Vitamin B12, B6, Choline, and Folate; all of which are great where brain health is concerned. When combined, these elements can help to reduce the progression of mental decline, and they can also balance the brains sugar levels too.

#7 Coffee

For most people, coffee is already a firm staple in their everyday drinking habits. If this is the case, you’ll be pleased to know that the antioxidants and the caffeine are both great for boosting your brainpower.

Caffeine is a great way to increase your mental alertness and focus. It has also been found to impact specific neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin. With long-term consumption, coffee also has strong ties to a lower risk of neurological diseases too.

#8 Dark Chocolate

Both cocoa powder and dark chocolate contain numerous brain-boosting compounds, which include antioxidants, caffeine, and flavonoids. All of these are known to effects areas of the brain that deal with memory and learning. They have also been the subject of many studies because of their potential to reduce cognitive decline.

#9 Pumpkin Seeds

Another antioxidant-rich food that can help to protect the brain from the damage that is caused by free radicals. Pumpkin seeds also contain copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium, all of which are excellent for brain health.

Magnesium is vital for learning and memory. Zinc is essential for nerve signaling and also for staving off neurological conditions. A lack of iron also has important links to brain function impairment, the most well known of which is brain fog, that presents when there is a lack of iron in a diet.

Additional Foods and Drinks to Aid Brainpower

• Green Tea
• Oranges
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Collards
• Flaxseeds
• Avocados
• Tuna
• Beets
• Bone Broth
• Celery
• Fermented Foods
• Soy
• Olive Oil
• Dandelion Greens
• Asparagus
• Kimchi
• Jicama
• Red Wine

In Summary

A few simple additions to your regular diet can have incredible effects on your long-term prospects for a healthier and more functional brain. Cognitive decline and neurological disorders are becoming increasingly more common, and there are no proven medications that can reverse the effects of these diseases once they take hold.

So, if you want to boost your brainpower today, and look after your brain for the future, try adding a few of these nutritious foods into your daily diet.