5 Healthy Foods for Improving your Memory

As the years pass by, you may find yourself struggling to remember simple things such as people’s names, phone numbers, or other situations that used to be easier to recall in our younger days. Memory loss is common as we get older, but there are ways keep your memory as sharp as possible.

One of the most important factors is your diet, and with memory conditions such as Dementia becoming more and more common, we are encouraging the everyday person to watch their diet.

So we’ve put together a list of foods that you can benefit from, each of them have been proven to help make sure your memory lasts for as long as it can.

Leafy green vegetables

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are a great way to get in your vitamins and minerals, especially Folate and Vitamin B. These vitamins help slow down the natural weakening of thinking skills. Leafy greens also provide antioxidants which helps boost brain power and mental clarity. Don’t like the taste of certain vegetables like spinach or kale? Try juicing them with fruits. The sweetness that naturally comes in fruit helps mask the flavor of the vegetables, yet you still get the nutrition you need. Try to aim for five servings of vegetables a day included in your eating regimen. As a rule of thumb, five servings is approximately two and a half cups. Just two and half cups a day will get you on your way to preserving a sharp mind and memory.

Fish

Fish is one of the most popular ways of improving memory because it is packed with omega-3 and DHA. Omega-3 acids and DHA have been suggested through studies to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been said that fish can help improve with your concentration and mood, both being big factors when it comes to your memory. Salmon and trout are among the most popular choices. If you are stuck on what to cook with the fish, take a look online for recipes other people have posted and enjoyed. Maybe you will enjoy them just as much as they did!

Now, what if you don’t like fish? Don’t worry, you aren’t out of luck! Most drugstores and supermarkets sell fish oil in a supplement. Most of them come in pill form so you can just add it to your daily medicine routine. By taking the suggested dosage, you will be able to reap the benefits that fish brings to the table without having to eat it.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the most versatile ingredients today. It is mostly used for personal care and cooking purposes. Coconut oil contains ketones that are pure brain food which is good after sleeping for a long period of time or if you haven’t eaten in a while. These ketones help bring glucose to the brain which aids in long term memory and clear thinking.  Interestingly, more and more patients with Alzheimer’s disease have been using coconut oil due to its nutritional benefits that you cannot get with the majority of food that we eat. Some medical professionals doubt that coconut is beneficial; however, it is a healthier choice compared to other oils.

Blueberries

Blueberries have a lot of antioxidants that help increase blood flow and oxygen to your brain. Blueberries are among the most effective fruit on the market. They have a combination of antioxidants that help fight diseases such as cancer and dementia. Flavonoids are another critical compound that has been said to reverse the natural aging of the mind. The flavonoids increase memory enhancement in all areas of function. Blueberries are a simple and sweet way to get vital nutrition to feed your brain. Other berries that are great for increasing memory brain power are blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

Water

Our brain is made up of 85% of water. In order to keep our body functioning, we have to replace that water when it is released in order to keep brain processing going smooth. The average adult drinks less than 32 ounces of water a day which is not enough to keep our brains functioning properly.  Lacking adequate water causes fogginess, mental fatigue, drowsiness, and focus. Also, lack of water causes dehydration which can be very serious if immediate action is not taken. Older adults are more vulnerable to dehydration due to the decreased senses that occur naturally through aging. It takes longer for signals to tell you to that you are thirsty which can lead to the dehydration.

If possible, stay away from sugary and carbonated drinks. It will mess up the natural functioning of your cognitive skills due to an internal imbalance of chemicals. If it would help, set a timer to remind you to drink some water. Keep water accessible, and within reach. Water is undeniably the best way to hydrate your body which in turn, will keep your brain fueled and oxygenized for optimal performance.

Be sure to consult with your doctor before making any drastic change to your diet. We are all getting older, slower, and our memory is not where it used to be. However, you can take steps towards improving your memory and other cognitive functions by eating healthy.