It seems everyone wants a good memory nowadays, explaining why memory-enhancing medicine or food supplements have become popular. But do you really need supplements or pills to help you remember better? What if we told you there are certain foods that can help achieve the results you desire?
In this article, we list a number of prominent food items, that when consumed, have the same effect as taking questionable memory enhancing food supplements:
1.Wild Salmon, Herring, Mackerel and Other Oily Fish
This one shouldn’t come as surprise — fish is good for the brain because certain species are rich in the much-talked-about omega 3 fatty acids.
Now, there have been conflicting studies regarding the memory-enhancing benefits of omega 3, but a recent MIDAS study that involved 485 aging participants with memory problems concluded that those who took omega 3 supplements for a mere 24 week period exhibited significantly higher scores in memory tests than those who took a placebo.
Yet more scientific research supporting the efficacy of omega 3 acids in maintaining a healthy memory and even a healthy heart health…
2. Nuts, Dark Green Leafy Vegetables and Seeds
When was the last time you put some nuts or a bushy broccoli in your mouth? In you want better memory but haven’t stuffed your face in a while, it’s about time you started making them part of your daily diet.
Nuts; leafy veggies like kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli; and certain seeds have a high Vitamin E content that help maintain and even improve mental health, especially warding off dementia.
In fact, a Harvard study found that those who take vitamin E and C supplements had 88 percent lower incidence of vascular dementia compared to those who do not.
Walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, flax seed, peanuts and sunflower seeds are among the most Vitamin E-rich foods that could actually enhance one’s memory.
Just make sure to stay away from salted nuts; the considerable amount of sodium they usually contain is very bad for your health.
3. Fruits and Other Plant-Based Foods Rich in Flavonoids
Many fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that help repair cell damage caused by free radicals. Flavonoids have been known to reverse age-related memory decline, with one study showing that flavanols, anthocyanins and flavanones — all types of flavonoids — have the greatest potential in improving memory.
Apples, berries, citrus, various vegetables, wine, tea and cocoa (used to make chocolate) are especially rich in flavonoids, according to Royal Society of Chemistry. So if you want improved memory, it’s important to include them in your diet.
For chocolate lovers, just make sure to opt for dark chocolates to avoid excessive sugar content.
