Food is the essence of life. It is the fuel that always gets you going. There are ample of naturally available foods that can enhance not only your physical strength but also help you develop a strong and healthy mind. You should include a proper balance of the right nutrients in your diet so that you are hale and hearty.
While most of you might have a good knowledge of the foods required by your body to keep it fit, here are the top 5 super-foods that can help boost your mental health.
1. Nuts and seeds
Various nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts and seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds & flax seeds are rich sources of vitamins and fatty acids that can help in preventing cognitive decline, mainly in your later years. For example, walnuts and almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is a great anti-oxidant that can help reduce the degeneration of your brain as you age.
2. Coffee
Caffeine contains multiple bioactive compounds which help in boosting your brain activity, improving your mood and lowering the severity of headaches. For example, consumption (in moderation) of black coffee has a positive effect on your health by reducing the risk of suffering from depression.
3. Whole grains
The human brain requires energy, in the form of glucose, to function at its best. However, glucose cannot be stored in the brain and thus, consumption of whole grains can help the gradual release of this simple form of sugar, which gives energy to the brain. Barley, brown rice, millet, oatmeal, buckwheat are some the whole grains that are good for your brain. Whole grains also improve your concentration and focus.
4. Fish
Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna and halibut are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial inreducing the symptoms of depression, stress and memory loss. The human body cannot create the essential fatty acids by itself and thus the consumption of fish is essential to provide the required supplement of omega-3 to your body.
5. Blueberries
It has been proved that the vitamins present in blueberries have helped in improving the short-term memory loss and motor skills. They are also beneficial in boosting your brain power. We hope that this helps you understand the connection between nutrients & brain health and include these super-foods in your daily diet to make your mind strong and healthy. Adopting a balanced diet can prevent you from falling sick and boost the activity of your brain.