Every machine has that special component that it is completely useless without, that special component that acts as its source of power. Heavy machinery like tractors, bulldozers, Lorries needs petrol and diesel, electrical appliances like cooker, fan, television, and light bulbs need electricity. Just as much, our brain needs food to function effectively and efficiently, and just like these machines, when our body is deprived of food, it loses its source of energy to function.
The human brain weighs about 3 pounds. It comprises 60 percent of fat and is considered one of the fattest organ in the human body. The foods we eat performs a lot of functions including enhancing the brain functions and protecting the brain, the brain uses about 20 percent of the body calorie, which helps to prevent damage of brain cells, prevent inflammation and reduce cellular stress. Our bran requires specific kinds of food daily to function optimally. Some importance of eating these foods are;
Consuming foods that are rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants enhance brain-based skills needed in the acquisition of knowledge, remembering manipulation of information, and reasoning.
Consuming foods that are rich in vitamin C helps to protect against age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin C is also a good source of antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals and prevent damage to brain cells.
A lot of foods contain nutrients that help to regulate brain activities thereby keeping it healthy, especially fruits and vegetables such as berries, spinach, leafy greens, and avocado.
Foods rich in protein content like eggs, nuts broccoli, and beans are filled with nutrients that support memory and brain development.
Research shows that green leafy vegetables, berries, walnut, fatty fish help to protect the heart and blood vessels which also, in turn, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Some common foods rich in nutrient and are very important to the brain includes; nuts, turmeric, pumpkin seeds, fatty fish, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, walnut, coffee, dark chocolate, milk, yogurt, eggs, and honey.
Tips to help improve your brain naturally
Get enough sleep: getting enough daily sleep helps our brain work faster and accurately. It is very important to get lots of sleep because the metabolism of glucose in the brain increases while we are asleep which supports long and short-term memory and enhances our learning ability. Sleep deprivation impairs a range of cognitive and brain functions including impairing memory and decision-making ability.
Drink less alcohol: alcohol blocks chemical signals between brain cells (neurons). Some common symptoms are poor memory, slow reflexes, impulsive behavior, loss of visual ability, and slurred speech. Common after effect of alcohol in the brain are memory loss and impaired cognitive functions.
Exercise more: exercise helps to stimulate and enhance the growth of new brain cells and enhances learning and thinking ability. When you exercise, your body releases dopamine and endorphin which helps the brain to get rid of chemicals that makes you feel stressed and anxious, it also makes us less vulnerable to stroke, heart diseases, and diabetes.
Eat less added sugar: researchers at the University of California discovered that fructose in sweets, soft drinks, and also in some fruits are responsible for damaging brain cells and are responsible for causing diabetes and some heart diseases in man. The elevated glucose level in the bloodstream slows down cognitive functions and causes inflammation.
Eat less seafood: eating too much seafood can cause larger volumes of grey matter in the areas of the brain responsible for cognition and memory.
As it has been well established that a wide variety of foods helps the brain, some food we consume are capable of performing the opposite functions, these foods include;
Sugary drinks that have a high level of added sugar such as sodas and soft drinks
Alcoholic beverages
Highly processed foods
Canned food filled with lots of preservatives
Processed meats such as bacon and smoked turkey
Highly processed grains such as white flours
Fish (they are high in mercury)
Junk foods
The brain is the most important part of the human body. Impaired brain functions can affect our ability to perform our daily activities. The human brain is made up of 75 percent water therefore it is necessary to always hydrate the body.
The human brain contains approximately one hundred billion neurons (brain cells), it is advised that we take food rich in omega 3 fatty acid and vitamins which contains antioxidants that help to prevent damage of neurons and enhance regeneration of new ones.
