7 Great Foods for Brain

Evolutionary biologists think that a part of the human intelligence is genetically heritable. However, psychologists, educationists and others believe that intelligence develops only after birth due to environmental influences.

What is sure is that not all people are equal in their thinking powers, and this is noticed even among the different members of the same family. Different people show different dexterities in life. 

It is well known that good food and good eating habits lead to a better physical state. Is it the same case for brain health? 


It is a fact that our brain is a very powerful machine that regulates everything in our bodies. It controls not only our thoughts, movements, sensation but also calculates and reacts in a prompt way to any situation we face. Consequently, it needs energy and consumes more than 20% of our caloric intake. What we eat and the quality of what we eat must affect its work positively or negatively.

Great Foods for Brain :

1- Our brain needs a constant supply of glucose. We get this fuel from carbohydrates we eat such as fruits, vegetables and grains. Junk food or refined sugars aren't good at all as they cause sharp blood spikes. These ups and downs, when repeated, damage our neurons.

2- The brain also uses other nutrients. Our brain is made up of 60% of fats and low levels of fats in food and body can cause depression, Alzheimer's and dementia. Good, healthy fats like those found in seeds, nuts, algae, coconuts and avocados do your brain good and keep it healthy because they contain omega3 and omega6 fatty acids which are required for a good health. Although saturated fats can be taken moderately, Trans fats found in hydrogenated vegetable oil must be avoided altogether.

3- Whole grain (barley, corn, oats, rice, wheat....) are rich in carbohydrates, fibre and some omega3 fatty acids that protect the heart and brain from damaging sugar spikes, cholesterol, blood clots and other bad effects. Grains also contain vitamin E that has an effect on blood flow to the brain and mood.

4- Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich with a mixture of protein, omega fatty acids and B vitamins. They also contain tryptophan, which the brain converts into serotonin to boost mood and fight depression.

5- Rosemary has been proved to improve memory and cognitive functions with its good scent alone. It improves blood flow to the brain and improves mood.

6- Spinach helps prevent or delay dementia. The nutrients in spinach prevent damage to DNA, cancer cell growth and tumour growth. It also slows the effects of aging on the brain.

7- Nuts, especially walnuts and almonds are very good for the brain and nervous system. They are great sources of omega3 and omega6 fatty acids, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. These are factors that help prevent many forms of dementia by protecting the brain from free radicals and they improve brain power. Nuts are healthier if you soak them overnight before consumption.

All these foods and others help maintain not only a healthy body but also a healthy brain. Nevertheless, some of the modern technologies have caused our brain to work more and more sluggishly. Just to give a simple example: very few people use their brain powers to make the easiest calculations. Instead they use a calculator. The easier our life is becoming the lazier we are becoming.