Nourish Your Mind

What we consume can directly affect how we feel not only physically, but emotionally as well. Although our physical health is vital, emotional and mental health can be just as important to one's overall wellbeing. Here are some brain food options that are most likely in your kitchen right now, which you should focus on incorporating into your diet as soon as possible. 

We'll start with an easy one. Attention all chocolate fanatics! Dark chocolate has been proven to positively affect brain function and overall mood, while beating regular milk or white chocolate in the health department. A special antioxidant found in dark chocolate, called "flavonoid", works to enhance memory as well as slow the process of age-related mental deterioration. According to an article published by Healthline, "In one study including over 900 people, those who ate chocolate more frequently performed better in a series of mental tasks, including some involving memory, than those who rarely ate it." So, dark chocolate can help improve memory and mood. Start snacking! 

Next on the must-have list is turmeric. This yellow spice has garnered much attention lately in the world of health and wellness, and for good reason. Turmeric contains curcumin, an active ingredient which has been proven to help reduce symptoms of depression, boost memory, and catalyze growth of new brain cells, all through its potency as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. "In research, it has reduced symptoms of depression and Alzheimer's disease" (Healthline). Add turmeric to your morning coffee, sprinkle it on your salad, or blend it into a smoothie to reap the benefits of this powerful powder! 

Eggs, a common household item, have a very positive impact on our brains which most people are not totally aware of. Eggs contain choline, an "important micronutrient that your body uses to create acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and memory" (Healthline). Where can choline be found most densely in an egg? The yolk. Although we are told very often that egg whites are the healthiest portion of an egg, we should moderately incorporate the yolk into our diets to keep our brains healthy. The B vitamins present in eggs, specifically B6 and B12, help to ease depression, mental decline, and balancing chemicals and sugar levels in the brain. 

Onto one of my favorites, green tea. Green tea is a beverage that I reach for no matter the time of day or year. I always feel calm as I drink green tea and for hours after it, and there is an actual scientific reason why this occurs! An amino acid found in green tea called L-theanine "cross[es] the blood-brain barrier and increase[s] the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps reduce anxiety and makes you feel more relaxed" (Healthline). The caffeine found in green tea can also help to keep you alert and focused as you complete your daily tasks. My favorite way to drink green tea is iced in the morning and piping hot at night! I encourage you to try it at least once a day, I guarantee you will feel some positive effect on your body! 

These healthy options are only some of the foods out there that are known to benefit your brain. I would love to know if you have any food suggestions that have helped improve your mood, made you feel more relaxed, or just made you feel good in general!