Want to keep your mind sharp during your exam days or during other important meetings? A healthy diet including 5 important food items can really pay off. Eating a healthy and balanced diet that inclued these 5 boosters can help in keeping your memory and concentration quite sharp.
1. Wholegrains: Steady and adequate supply of energy in the form of glucose in our blood to the brain helps our brain to concentrate and focus. we can achieve this by opting wholegrains with a low-GI, which release glucose slowly into the bloodstream and hence keeping you mentally alert throughout the day. Go for 'brown' wholegrain cereals, rice and pasta for this.
2. Tomatoes: There are quite powerful evidences that a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, lycopene can help protect our brains against the kind of free radical damage to cells which occurs in the development of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's.
3. Eggs: Certain B vitamins like B6, B12 and folic acid, are known to reduce levels of a compound called homocysteine in the blood. Increased levels of homocysteine are associated with increased risk of stroke, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. A study of a group of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment found that after two years of involvement of items with higher dose of B6, B12 and folic acid there was significantly less brain shrinkage compared to a subset given placebo treatment. Opting for B-rich foods like eggs, chicken, fish and leafy greens can help a lot.
4. Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds, which are rich in zinc supply this valuable mineral which is vital for enhancing memory and thinking skills. These little seeds are also full of stress-busting magnesium, B vitamins and tryptophan, the precursor to the good mood chemical serotonin.
5. Broccoli: Rich in vitamin K, Broccoli is known to enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower. Researchers have reported that because broccoli is high in compounds called glucosinolates, it can slow the breakdown of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. These compounds are needed for the central nervous system to perform properly and to keep our brains and our memories sharp. Low levels of acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer's.