The body is an extremely complex biochemical machine, as much as the universe in which it lives, and the concept of health corresponds to the proper functioning of each part.
The human brain is one of the most complicated organs that can be found in the animal world, billions of times more powerful and complex than any computer we can ever create; it is a bio-electrochemical organ and its meticulous and numerous functions must be kept in excellent condition also by a correct diet.
A bad diet affects the health of our organs and makes them malfunction, and often the body gives us warnings in these cases, such as pain, spots on the skin, changes in the circadian cycle, and so on.
But when it comes to the brain, changes take place mainly in the mind and mood, and are difficult to identify; for this reason it is very important to safeguard the health of the brain also through proper nutrition .
Let's find 10 foods suitable for this purpose.
The 10 best foods to help the brain in its functions
1. Vegetable oil
Studies conducted by Chicago's Rush University have shown that vitamin E contained in vegetable oils acts as a powerful antioxidant for neurons and nerves in general, and their regular consumption prevents cognitive deterioration, as in the case of Alzheimer's disease.
2. Walnuts
All types of nuts, such as hazelnuts, almonds, macadamia, sunflower, sesame, cashews, peanuts, etc., are very important for the brain exactly for the reasons expressed above for the oil. Vegetable oils are in fact extracted from seeds, rich in phenols, fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 and vitamin E. The brain is thus protected from free radicals.
3 eggs
Once in a while, without excess, a healthy organic egg gives the body good doses of choline, a water-soluble micronutrient similar to the group of B vitamins. The body absorbs choline in the form of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that helps mnemonic health .
4. Blueberries
There is a reason why blueberries are considered a superfood: their excellent antioxidant power is able to protect the brain from various types of oxidative stress and from neuronal aging processes linked also to the development of Alzheimer's disease, of various forms of dementia and memory lapses.
Many studies have shown that cognitive decilno is smaller and slower in populations that regularly consume blueberries.
What is meant by functional foods?
5. Wine and green tea
There is an interesting antioxidant, called EGCG ( epigallocatechin gallate ) found in both wine and green tea .
Although the damage of alcohol to the brain is known, this antioxidant and anti-inflammatory catechin is able to prevent brain damage caused by beta-amyloid proteins, capable of creating plaques on the gray matter.
No more than a glass of wine a day is an aid to nerve communications.
6. Avocado
Why avocado ? Combine high quality monounsaturated fats, as previously mentioned for seeds and oils; it has a strong antioxidant power as reported for blueberries; and it is also able to fight hypertension by significantly lowering the risk of stroke and brain damage.
7. Black cabbage
Here's another superfood that is important for brain health: black cabbage is an enemy of brain-damaging free radicals.
It has an excellent effect in preventing Alzheimer's disease and studies on populations that regularly eat black cabbage have shown that their brain age is significantly younger than that of older peers who do not have this food habit.
8. Portulaca
The underrated portulaca (often used exclusively as a poultry food) is a perfect brain health food that loves omega-3 fatty acids and portulaca is one of the best vegetable sources. What else? A high level of vitamin C, the antioxidant par excellence that helps boost mental qualities.
9. Beetroot
Special nitrates are concentrated in the precious beet to increase the flow of blood and therefore oxygen to the brain, thus improving mental performance and memory abilities.
10. Sage
One of the plants that most helps the memory is undoubtedly the sage, rich in essential oils able to increase the production of acetylcholine, as said for the eggs, and therefore to improve the mnemonic connections.
