Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Plants that makes you smarter

SAGE
Recent studies indicate that taking sage oil can enhance and improve memory performance. To inject more sage into your life, try it in tea, add to pasta or even chew on a few raw leaves – it’s also an instant breath freshener.




BROCCOLI
This veggie is loaded with Vitamin K which is known for strengthening cognitive abilities. Like egg yolks, broccoli also contains choline, which has been found to strengthen our memory.




STRAWBERRIES
A study published in 2012 found that greater intakes of strawberries were associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older adults. This is because berries are loaded with flavonoids, an antioxidant that may have memory and mood-enhancing properties.




BLUEBERRIES
According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, these tiny berries pack a big punch, containing chemical compounds thought to improve memory, learning, decision making, reasoning skills and verbal comprehension.




SPINACH
Popeye might have eaten it for strength but you should be eating spinach for its brain-boosting qualities. Several studies suggest that spinach may help protect against age-related problems and cognitive deficits. A study at the Harvard Medical School followed 13,000 women for 25 years and found that increased vegetable intake, including spinach consumption, was associated with reduced cognitive decline and the lowered brain age by one to two years.




WALNUTS
While many nuts are supposed to be good for your noggin, walnuts are the real superheroes. Research conducted by the US Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Center found the Omega-3 specific to walnuts acts as an antioxidant that can block signals produced by potentially brain-damaging free radicals.




APPLES
The old adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away might just be true. These juicy fruits contain catechins, a type of antioxidant that may protect us from the brain-damaging chemicals found in everyday products.




PUMPKIN SEEDS
For something so small, pumpkin seeds do a lot of good. The seeds are jam packed with tryptophan, an amino acid needed to create serotonin, which is a key component of mood and brain health. Have a handful as an afternoon snack or throw some in your salad.




TOMATOES
Studies have found evidence to suggest that lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, could help protect against the kind of free radical damage to cells which occurs in the development of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's.




KELP
Kelp, or seaweed, has high levels of the brain-boosting chemical iodine. Because the body does not make iodine, which is necessary for normal growth and development of the brain and body, it needs to come from your diet. Thankfully kelp is the most abundant, iodine-rich sea vegetable so it’s time to load up on it. Not convinced? Research has found that severe iodine deficiency has caused mental impairment, stunted growth and learning problems in children so stock up!




AVOCADO
Delicious and good for the brain – what a winning combo. Research shows avocado’s high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids help keep nerve cells in the brain healthy. Each serving of avocado also has 20 different vitamins, but don’t go overboard; you only need to add half of one avocado to one daily meal to get results.




BRUSSELS SPROUTS
They might not be your favorite veggie but it’s worth loading up your dinner plate with these brain boosters. Scientists have proved that sprouts are packed with molecules that our bodies convert into diindolymethane, an immune-system booster that helps protect new brain cells. Still not appetizing? You can always cover them in cheese sauce.




GARLIC
While raw garlic is known to help strengthen the cardiovascular system, aged garlic extract has been shown to protect the brain against function loss. A study in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging showed compelling evidence of garlic as an alternative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.




From: http://www.msn.com/