“One cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolfe
Thinking is a biochemical process. For brain cells to communicate effectively with each other and create neural pathways, they require chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the ‘messengers’ carrying messages from one neuron to another. They are made from amino acids found in protein foods (e.g., meat, fish and cheese).
Eating fruits and vegetables is a habit which has very positive effects on your brain. It stimulates brain functions and helps improve memory. The reason why fruits and vegetables are so important is because they are one of the key “brain foods” and are provide an important source of carbohydrates (carbohydrates enhance the absorption of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin in the brain). Digestion causes the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose (sugar) which is the primary source of energy for the brain. If your glucose levels fluctuate too much, you may experience mental confusion, dizziness and if severe, convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Fruits also slow down the oxidation process of our cells. And not just that, but they also act as anti-inflammatory agents, make the brain less vulnerable to amyloid plaque, improve communication between neurons and allow the brain to regenerate faster.
Improve your learning and exam results
If you’re a student facing an exam, one of the keys to pass it successfully is to eat raw fruits! They are the ultimate brain fuel.
It’s true, you can actually improve your test results simply by changing your eating habits between waking up and doing the exam. The big trick is to consume only fruits and to avoid the “brain blocking” foods, which are foods that contain white flour, refined white sugar, meat and dairy.
You can check this on yourself! Tomorrow morning eat nothing but fruits and you’ll notice that your thinking will be much clearer and faster than the day before.
New research has also shown that B vitamins, such as niacin and folic acid (found in lean meat, fish, legumes, dairy products, grains and green, leafy vegetables) are vitally important to brain function and may help keep the mind sharp.
Stay away from the brain blockers, eat fruits and in a very short time you’ll be amazed of how much better and clearer your head (and life) will be.
Don’t let your memory run away from you
Curcumin, a spice used in India, known for its anti-inflammatory effects, may prevent memory loss. Curcumin is what gives yellow curry its bright color and is frequently used as a natural food dye. Curcumin is an antioxidant and anti-inflamatory spice that also helps reduce amyloid plaque (this plaque is one of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease).
According to a study published in the October 24, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology, eating vegetables – but not fruit – helps slow the rate of cognitive change in older adults.
“Compared to people who consumed less than one serving of vegetables a day, people who ate at least 2.8 servings of vegetables a day saw their rate of cognitive change slow by roughly 40 percent,” said study author Martha Clare Morris. “This decrease is equivalent to about five years of younger age.“
Breakfast sets the tone of the day
Eating breakfast is very important for weight control, health, mood and work performance. But just eating – any – breakfast won’t do you too much good, you have to know what to eat and what not to.
Several studies suggest breakfasts that slowly release carbohydrate into the blood help memory and concentration more than those that rapidly release large amounts in a short period of time. Carbohydrates are released slowly by foods that contain whole grains and solid fruit rather than refined grains (whether bread, pastry or cereal) and fruit juice or soft drinks. A long-lasting, health-promoting breakfast formula is to combine a whole grain serving, a fruit or vegetable, and a healthful source of protein.
Diet protects memory
Experts say that age related memory loss is no further away than your refrigerator and no more expensive than a bag of groceries. To understand this, we must first understand the aging process of the brain.
The aging process of the brain is caused by inflammation and oxidation, processes which allows damaging free radicals to attach themselves to cells.
“Old neurons are like old married couples — they don’t talk to each other very much anymore. They just sit in the room with the remote and stare at the TV.” – Dr. James Joseph
Even if research in this field is still in infancy, scientists believe that diet may help minimize brain’s sensitivity to oxidation and inflammation, thus improving the communication abilities of brain cells.
A very important role in this process is played by antioxidants. They are potent chemical substances found in plants that protect them against free radicals (highly active molecules that damage cells). Antioxidants are what give fruits and vegetables their bright colors and the reason why plants produce these chemicals is to protect themselves from pollution and other environmental dangers. By eating fruits and vegetables we enjoy the same protective benefits of antioxidants as plants do.
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