5 brain healthy foods from the cupboard ( and one from the freezer) and why they are worth giving a try
- Oily fish- the story your mum used to tell you that eating fish would help you at school? Well it turns out she was possibly right. Oily fish is packed full of omega 3 fats usually in the forms of DHA and EPA. Whilst improving your Mensa scores are harder prove, we do know that people who eat diets low in this type of fats have been found to have increased risk of developing Alzheimers disease. So check your cupboard for tins of salmon or sardines!
- Walnuts-talking of omega 3 fats, walnuts are a great source of these too as well as vitamin E which is an important anti oxidant to mop up some of those pesky free radicals
- Pumpkin seeds- another bumper source of anti oxidants that might be hiding away in your cupboards. These seeds also contain zinc- good for immune support and magnesium- another brain important mineral and Noggin favourite.
- Turmuric-curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric and has gained increased popularity in recent years due to its anti inflammatory and nutrient rich properties. Another great source of anti oxidants, curcumin has also been shown to help with production of BDNF- otherwise known as miracle grow for brain cells
- Blueberries - whilst fresh blueberries may be harder to come by at the moment, the frozen ones can still do the job. Another anti oxidant and anti inflammatory source, these are not only delicious but have been shown is some early studies to possibly even have preventative benefits for Alzheimers and age related brain function *
Some recipes ideas are below:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/breakfast-smoothie
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/turmeric
*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2850944/
