Foods That Support Memory

Your brain is the control centre of your body. It sends messages throughout your body helping you to move, feel and think. Your diet plays a huge role in keeping your brain healthy. Studies have shown the foods we eat can help improve your ability to complete specific mental tasks and support memory and concentration. Below is a list of 3 foods that provide the nutrients needed to help keep your brain functioning at its peak.

1. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish is often at the top of the list of foods that support brain health. Fatty fish includes salmon, trout and sardines and each of these are a source of omega-3 fatty acids. About 60% of your brain is made of fat, and half of that fat made up of omega-3s. Your brain uses omega-3s to build brain and nerve cells. Omega-3s are essential for learning and memory.

2. Oranges

Your daily vitamin C requirements are contained in a single orange. Vitamin C has been shown to be a key factor in preventing mental decline because it is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off the free radicals that can damage brain cells. But the benefits of vitamin C aren’t limited to citrus fruits, you can also get excellent amounts of vitamin C from bell peppers, guava, kiwi, tomatoes and strawberries.

3. Green Tea

Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has been shown to increase the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA. When working together in your brain, L-theanine and GABA may also increase the frequency of alpha waves in the brain, which helps you relax without making you feel tired. When our bodies have the opportunity to rest and relax, we are better able to recover from normal stressors and offset age-related decline.

For other ideas on how to help improve memory and brain function, click here. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-mating-game/201609/7-ways-enhance-your-memory

Denise Boyd, BSc, Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RNH) with a specialization in Cognitive and Immune Support.