Memory Foods and Brain Nutrition

There are lots of people out there that don't know how much input they have over the effectiveness of their memory. Choices we make on a daily basis can either help, or hurt our memory function. Storing information such as addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays is a function of short-term memory. Short term memory is something that everyone uses daily, and if we take good care of our health, it will go a long way in keeping the brain strong and effective. By eating what I like to call "memory foods," we can ensure the healthy consumption of good vitamins for proper brain function.

Antioxidants have been publicized a lot lately and everyone is sure to have heard about their benefits. The attention given to antioxidants is proving to be based on a lot of fact. The cell is the basic building block of the human body, and there are millions of them within. Whenever these cells are damaged or age unnaturally, it affects the correct function of that organ, potentially making the person sick, or worse. By building a protective barrier around human cells, antioxidants can guard against damage from free radicals. Free radicals attack the cells and can cause them to grow abnormally, which is a forerunner to cancerous growth. Cells in the brain are particularly at risk from free radicals, so the more antioxidants you take in, the more protected your brain cells will be.

There are lots of good foods out there that are rich in antioxidants, including almost all fruits and vegetables. Some antioxidant rich foods stand out above all the others. Blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and apples are all packed with antioxidants. There are other fantastic sources too, especially in the legume family. Many types of beans, including kidney, red, pinto, black, and soybeans are rich in antioxidants. Bell peppers, spinach, and broccoli are excellent for veggie lovers. Your parents advice still holds true today. Vegetables and fruits are good for you!

Although most people aren't familiar with it, choline is yet another healthy ingredient that's good for memory function. Choline is a nutrient that is beneficial to the formation of neurotransmitters, which are essential for brain function. Choline is good for the liver too. You can find it in eggs, beans, and peanuts.

Eating a combination of vitamin C & E is now believed to be beneficial in Alzheimer's prevention. An excerpt from an article in the Archives of Neurology states, "Vitamins C and E might slow down the underlying pathogenesis of this disease." If true, this is fantastic news as Alzheimer's still has no cure and afflicts over 300,000 individuals in the United States, and is the seventh leading cause of death, according to government statistics. If you like to eat oranges, and other colorful veggies, you'll be getting lots of vitamin C. Vitamin E is common in many types of nuts, including almonds, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter. A delicious way to get this vitamin combo is by chopping some nuts and sprinkling them over a healthy green salad, especially if you use spinach.

Not only will this type of diet rich in memory foods help improve brain power, but will be great for the entire body. "You are what you eat" is a great cliche that still holds true today. Try skipping the potato chips and candy bars, and snack on some veggies or a piece of fruit. Your brain power will show the difference!