Eating well is keeping your brain in good shape too!

October is more than just about Breast Cancer Awareness as there is another equally important health campaign the world is celebrating.  Every year on October 10 is World Mental Health Day and it’s dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues and stepping up efforts to promote mental health and wellbeing.

 

Experts agree that eating a healthy and balanced diet is not only good for keeping us physically fit but it also plays an important role in keeping our brains in top shape.  In fact, UK’s Mental Health Foundation revealed in a study that poor diet is one of the main causes of mental health concerns over the past 50 years. The Feeding Minds study suggests that consuming foods rich in saturated fats and sugars can prevent the brain from functioning properly and can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health concerns.

 

Riham Shamseddine, Dietitian at The Right Bite Nutrition Centre, said, “Brain health is good for keeping your mind sharp and improving your memory; plus, it helps you cope better with stress and life’s ups and downs.”

 

“Top tips for a healthier and younger brain: avoid junk foods and overly sweet and salty foods, stay away from alcohol and smoking, do regular exercises and get enough sleep. Adding brain-boosting superfoods to your diet will also make a big difference,” Riham added.

 

So what are the top superfoods to keep our brains fit? Riham lists them down as follows, with tips on how best to enjoy them:

 

Super food 1: Blueberries

They are popularly known as “brain berries” because they protect the brain from ageing and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Studies show that they help protect the brain from oxidative stress and increase the learning and motor skills in young children. Tip: Add blueberries to your whole-grain breakfast cereals to help your body absorb iron from the cereals. Enjoy them fresh or frozen.

 

Super food 2: Avocado

Rich in many nutrients like A, C, D, E, K and B Vitamins, fiber, good fats (omega-3 fatty acids), avocados are the secret of a brilliant brain. High doses of Vitamin E were shown to fight free-radicals to reverse the symptoms of memory loss in Alzheimer’s diseases patients.

Tip: Cut up slices of avocado with low-fat milk make a very healthy and wholesome milk shake.  You can also add avocado slices to your salad with lemon and a hint of olive oil. Watch out for the calories though, enjoy half an avocado as part of your meal or as a side dish.

 

Super food 3: Salmon

Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acid and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are both very important for the brain and the nervous system. Omega-3 is an essential nutrient as the body cannot produce it and must be obtained from the diet. Tip: Enjoy 4 ounces of baked or grilled salmon at least twice a week to benefit the most of its nutrients.

 

Super food 4: Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are rich in the important omega-3 fatty acids and they contain the ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), that boosts the area of the brain to process sensory information. It is also excellent for vegetarians and vegans to include this heart and brain healthy fat to their daily diet. Tip: Sprinkle a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to your salad or any of your dishes to get your daily requirements in omega-3. To make them more digestible, soak flaxseeds in water for a few hours before consuming them.

 

Super food 5: Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoid which is an essential antioxidant associated with boosting the cognitive function. It also contains caffeine, a natural stimulant, which increases focus and concentration, and stimulates the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood. Tip: Enjoy dark chocolate in moderation; choose it to be at least made of 60% of cocoa and less in added sugars and fat.

 

The Right Bite Nutrition Centre is located in the heart of Dubai, with telephone numbers +971 4 3388763 and +971 4 3425208.