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Foods to Make You Smarter
Heyo~ This is my 3rd post. Now our topic is about top foods for a better brain. Better memory, test scores, and mood are all just a forkful away, if you pack your plate wiht the best brain boosting foods. Let natural compounds in delicious foods act as first line of brain health defense, clearing your body of cancer promoting free radicals, pesticides, and plasticzers while nurturing neurotransmitter health and chasing away depression. And remember, when it comes to choosing these food, go to the organic route. Many pesticides are neurotoxic and have been shown to lower IQ in kids.


1. Beets

Beets bring vitamin B to the brain game. This vital nutrient helps you quickly process data and sort through your memories. Fresh beets even serve as natural anti depressants! Sauté and eat beet greens, too. They're packed with heart-proctecting folate. Just be sure to avoid canned beets; the containers are likely coated bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical that disrupts our natural hormonal systems.







2. Anchovies


Your brain thrives on omega-3 fatty acids. The polyunsaturated fats help protect your brain from accelerated aging and memory loss, while shooing away depression and bad moods. Anchovies boost 10 times the omega-3 levels that tuna does and are much lower in harmful seafood contaminants like mercury. As a side benefit, the tiny fish are also loaded with bone-building vitamin D and calcium.







3. Eggs 

Just like anchovies, pastured eggs are chock-full of brain-protecting omega-3 fatty acids. Eggs have even been called the perfect brain food! But not all eggs are created equally. Eggs from pastured hens—ones raised outside on green grass pastures—contain two times more omega-3s than standard store-bought eggs, and three times more naturally-occurring vitamin E, a potent antidepressant and possible Alzheimer’s disease preventer. Be sure to eat the yolks—pastured eggs are rich in choline, a brain-boosting compound that promotes neurotransmitter health.


4. Berries 


Berries are brain boosters, and for several different reasons. Raspberries and blueberries contain anthocyanin compounds that protect brain neurons linked to memory. Strawberries’ fisetin compounds build long-term memory strength. A British study found that eating about a cup of blueberries a day can markedly improve memory in just a few months.

5. Lard

No, this isn’t a typo. The right type of lard can actually do wonders for your brain; specifically your mood. Lard oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that lowers your risk of depression. It’s also a rich source of vitamin D, a vital hormone believed to stave off dementia. For the healthiest lard, be sure to source the product from a farmer who grazes the farm animals on organic pasture



6. Cayenne Peppers 


Hot peppers are bursting with capsaicin, a compound most famous for its use as a natural fat fighter and pain reliever. But according to The Happiness Diet authors Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey, M.D., our brains benefit from the heat-packing compound, too. The human brain is actually loaded with receptors for capsaicin, which release calmness-promotes endorphins, making it easier for us to focus.






7. Brussels Sprouts


Here’s a good reason to eat your Brussels sprouts: Scientists have proven that the cruciferous plant is packed with molecules that our bodies convert into diindolymethane, an immune-system booster that helps protect new brain cells. Its antioxidant content helps clean up cancer-causing free radicals, waste products your body makes when it uses fuel to create energy.






8. Kale 



Just like Brussels sprouts, kale and its cruciferous cousins cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower act as potent anti-aging agents for the brain. A Harvard Medical School study of more than 13,000 women found that eating these veggies lowered brain age by 1 to 2 years. Money-saving tip? Kale is super easy to grow fresh and organically in your back yard.








9. Pumpkin Seeds



Pumpkin seeds are tiny treasures filled with tryptophan, a crucial building block of brain health used to create serotonin, a key component of mood and brain health.

Grow it ! Try organic Kakai Hulless pumpkin seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds to grow your own steady supply of delectable pumpkin seed treats. These types of pumpkins produce “naked” seeds that require no hulling.









10. Apples

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is very likely true when you consider that this formidable fruit contains catechins, substances that show promise in protecting us from brain damaging chemicals all too common in everyday products. Just be sure to choose organic apples; the catechins are in the fruit’s skin, the part exposed to pesticides in chemical farming.










11. Dark Chocolate

Flavonoid compounds in dark chocolate help boost your circulatory system, promoting better blood flow to the brain. In fact, they could even improve your math skills. A 2009 study asking study participants to count backwards in groups of three discovered that those who drank flavonol-fueled hot cocoa calculated more quickly and were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained.









11. Avocado 


Start each day with a mix of high-quality protein and beneficial fats to build the foundation for an energized day. Avocado with scrambled eggs provides both, and the monounsaturated fat helps blood circulate better, which is essential for optimal brain function. Worst alternative: a trans-fat-filled, sugar-laden cream cheese Danish.




12. Nuts

Nuts contain protein, high amounts of fiber, and they are rich in beneficial fats . For getting an immediate energy boost that won’t turn into a spike later, you can’t do better than nuts. The complex carbs will perk you up while the fat and protein will sustain you. Nuts also contain plenty of vitamin E, which is essential to cognitive function. You don’t have to eat raw, plain, unsalted nuts, but do avoid the ones with a lot of sweetening or seasoning blends. Filberts, hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts are great choices, with almonds being the king of nuts. For those avoiding carbs, macadamia nuts are much higher in fat than most nuts. By the way, peanuts just aren’t ideal. Aside from the fact that many people are allergic, peanuts have less healthy fat than many other types of nuts…maybe that’s because peanuts are not actually a nut! They’re still much better than a candy bar, however.


13. Coffee


Thine eyes do not deceive (even if you are in the midst of a sugar crash). Coffee is good for your brain . Did you know coffee actually contains fiber? That’s going to help your cardiovascular system. Coffee also exerts some noted benefit to your brain in addition to providing you with a detectable energy boost. The trick is not to have more than a few cups. But you can safely enjoy 2-4 cups daily – we are talking about supercharging here. Just please don’t go ruining a good thing by loading it up with sugar! Espresso beans are actually a phenomenally healthy snack, by the way.

14. Oatmeals

Nature’s scrub brush is one of the best foods for cardiovascular health, which translates to brain health. Additionally, oatmeal is packed with fiber, a reasonable amount of protein, and even a small amount of Omega-3’s. It’s a good grain that will sustain you throughout the morning so you aren’t prone to irritability or an energy crash.





15. Brown Rice 


Brown rice is a low-glycemic complex carbohydrate that is excellent for people sensitive to gluten who still want to maintain cardiovascular health. The better your circulation, the sharper your brain





16. Green Tea 


You have to brew tea fresh or you won’t get the benefits of all those catechins (antioxidants) that boost your brain . Because tea has caffeine, don’t have more than 2-3 cups daily.







17. Tomatoes 


Go figure, but tomatoes don’t usually make the brain-boosting food lists. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is particularly good for your brain – it even helps prevent dementia. You have to cook tomatoes to get the lycopene – take that, raw foodies! Just kidding. But this does mean that ketchup is good for your brain. Although because of the sugar in it, you should look to other sources for most of your lycopene intake, such as fresh tomato sauce


18. Water


Your brain is made up of approximately 75 % water, therefore staying hydrated is absolutely vital for optimum brain performance. Health professionals believe the number one cause of memory loss, at any age, is dehydration and the simple act of drinking a large glass of water can dramatically improve brain function. Tip: start the day hydrated and get into the habit of drinking a glass of water first thing upon waking then again as soon as you get to work.











19. Salmon


Yet another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon fires up your brain by making the synapses stronger, allowing communication between cells to be faster. Need to work on your listening skills? The nutrients in salmon have been shown to improve focus and retention, too~






20. Peppermint 


A sprig of mint might help with bloating and digestion, but when it comes to how it affects your brain, a cup of peppermint tea has been shown boost memory and focus.








21. Kelp


Kelp is a sea vegetable (seaweed) high in magnesium, calcium and iodine. Iodine is necessary for normal growth and development of the brain and body. Because the body does not make iodine, it must be obtained from the diet. Kelp is the most abundant, iodine-rich sea vegetable. Other rich sources of iodine include seafood, dairy products, plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodized table salt. Severe iodine deficiency has long been known to cause mental impairment, stunted growth and learning problems in children.















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