Just like your body needs good nutrition to stay strong and healthy, your brain is also in need of some foods that will keep your synapsis firing at capacity. Your brain is very particular about its diet, and believe it or not, there are foods that you can eat that helps your brain function and develop.
There is a strong correlation between the food you eat and your memory. So, getting to know some of the foods you could ingest to keep your mind sharp and improve the memory power is as good an idea as eating healthy to keep those unwanted pounds away.
1. Peppermint
This is not just an ingredient that you put in sweets. Peppermint has some amazing brain-boosting powers. One study on Edu Birdy showed that just smelling this herb improves memory.
The freshness and strong smell of the herb gives a person a sense of being refreshed. You don’t even have to eat it, hanging a couple of bushels in your home will already do the trick.
2. Rosemary
This herb is easy to grow and goes great with any meat dish. However, if you don’t eat meat, don’t worry, it makes a great companion in a basil pesto. Rosemary has been used as a brain booster for years. However, only in recent studies have they found that it helps one’s long term memory and increases one’s alertness.
3. Thyme
Thyme is another versatile herb that can be added to many dishes. It contains high levels of luteolin which is believed to help the brain boost its antioxidant levels.
It also boosts the levels of healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids which is associated with higher levels of brain function. Thyme is also easy to grow and requires very little maintenance.
4. Ginger
One should have no problem in finding ways to get a daily dose of ginger. This root plant has amazing anti-inflammatory properties and is specifically known for combatting neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
Ginger has also been found to boost reaction time and attention in young and middle-aged adults. If that is not enough, your working memory also gets a boost.
5. Beans
Beans are underrated in the nutrition world, but that is because of the stigma that it gives you gas. However, most beans are high in choline which is essential in the creation of new neurotransmitters in the brain. One can almost say that it is the muscle building food of the brain. The best part is that you can have almost any bean for the same effect.
6. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo is another one of those foods that have been used for ages to boost brain function. It is a powerful food that is associated with the healing and regeneration of brain cells. It is also used to boost attention span and improve memory.
It has recently gained big popularity as a superfood. Ginkgo isn’t as common as it used to be, so you might want to check with your pharmacist to see if it’s okay to take with your other meds.
7. Reishi Mushrooms
In many cases, brain function is disturbed or lowered due to external factors like depression or stress. Foods that combat these conditions then also boost brain function indirectly. Reishi mushrooms won’t lower your levels of anxiety or depression, but it will combat the symptoms and in return, you will be able to think straight.
8. Ginseng
When you exercise, you feel revitalized and as a result, you concentrate much better. Ginseng is an amazing natural energy booster and when your vitality s boosted, so is your brain function.
Ginseng is like nature’s multi-vitamin as it is used to improve overall mental health and vitality. It’s said to activate neurotransmitters and improve memory as a result.
9. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the most common berries and that is mainly due to the ease with which it is grown. However, blueberries are known to have compounds that improve decision making power, comprehension and it improves memory and reasoning abilities. It is one of the best plants to grow for your brain.
10. Periwinkle
Periwinkle is one of the lesser known plants that improve memory and the overall brain function. It is also one of the better ones. Periwinkle improves blood and oxygen circulation in the brain and as a result, will improve your memory and memorizing skills.
There are many plants that you can grow that will help you improve your memory and the best part of it all is that you don’t need a farm’s worth of land to grow your plants. Most of these plants are herbs that you can grow in pots, so even if you stay in a small flat, all you need is a sunny windowsill and a couple of pots and you could be on your way to a smarter you.
