Your Brain Needs Good Food for Health and Intelligence

Your brain is a remarkable and complex organ that serves as the command center for nearly every function of the body. The brain is responsible for vital functions including

• Thinking
• Movement
• Breathing
• And so much more!

Having a healthy brain helps every system in your body work efficiently and as it was designed.

When people think of health, they generally think about making sure their bodies are getting enough sleep, eating right, and getting plenty of exercise. These are important activities that not only preserve the body’s health, but the body’s command center too! While you’re thinking about taking care of your physical health, make sure you add brain health to the mix because your brain needs good food for health and intelligence.

What you eat matters when it comes to overall health, but especially when it comes to brain development and preventing diseases like dementia. Foods rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates are very important for brain function. Take a look.

Antioxidant foods combat free radicals- Foods high in salt, fat, and sugar can cause our bodies to react in negative ways. Spiked increases in blood glucose and insulin can cause an abundance of free radicals which can be harmful to cells. These spikes can be caused by consuming salt, fat, and sugar too often or too much all at once. Eating foods high in antioxidants can combat free radicals and stabilize the situation. Additionally, antioxidant foods are known to slow down the aging process, prevent loss of vision, stroke, and heart disease. Consuming antioxidant rich foods is good for your brain’s health and intelligence.

Omega 3 fatty acids aid in learning and memory- Omega 3 fatty acids play a key role in brain function. There are different types of Omega 3 fatty acids, and DHA, or docosahexaenoic, is a primary fatty acid found in the cell membranes of the brain. Foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids help maximize the functions of the brain and fuel the brain in the best way possible.

Diets rich in carbohydrates and fiber are essential for brain health- Dementia and other cognitive decline seems to be on the rise. Eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber can help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s. Many fad diets include reducing or eliminating good sources of important carbohydrates and fiber. Cutting out grains like oats, brown rice, and foods like sweet potatoes can actually create deficiencies that affect brain health. These complex carbohydrates are excellent sources of energy that your brain uses to keep peak function and health.  If you are on a low carb diet, you may want to look at times when you have a small amount of a complex carbohydrate in order to not miss out on the benefits.  This is where plans like carb cycling can come in useful.

Your body needs health foods and exercise to stay fit. Investing in eating right and exercising your muscles is evident by a slim, fit body free of illness and disease. In the same way, your brain depends on high-quality foods and mental exercise to keep fit. When planning your menu for optimal physical health, be sure to incorporate foods rich in antioxidants, Omega 3 fatty acids, and complex carbohydrates to help your brain achieve peak performance too.

Follow this series for more articles on eating for a healthy brain.