The human brain is an amazing organ, it has over a hundred billion neurons which are interconnected in a complex way through trillions of synapses. This makes it capable of performing very complex calculations within a very short time, much more than the fastest supercomputers in the world.
The importance of the brain in our everyday life is more than can be appreciated. Parts of the brain like the brainstem controls very important organ functions like breathing and heartbeat. The cerebellum is involved with balance and control, the amygdala is the seat of emotional responses, while the hippocampus is for memory. The cerebral cortex, specifically the frontal lobe is responsible for executive functions such as thinking, planning, decision-making, calculations, intelligence, etc.
Some kinds of diseases cause brain degeneration and deterioration. In the long run, this can reduce the quality of life of an individual. Examples of these neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, to mention a few. Those affected experience difficulties in calculation, movement, memory, language, and cognition. This puts their professional, social life, and family life at risk of falling apart. A spouse and other family members usually find it hard trying to cope with significant cognitive decline and personality changes in a loved one.
Maintaining a healthy brain is essential to enjoying your life. It is wise to give much attention to your mental health on daily basis. Our nutrition is directly related to how healthy the body will be. Healthy diets strengthen the body and lead to optimal functioning in physiological activities, however, poor and inappropriate diets make the body vulnerable to diseases.
If you are looking for foods that are essential for the health of your brain, here are a few of them:
Fatty fish
This food is rich in omega-3 fatty acid, which is essential for good memory and protection of the brain against degeneration.
Blueberries
Blueberries Have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These help to slow aging and neurodegeneration.
Turmeric
Turmeric aids neuronal regeneration boosts memory and alleviates depression.
Eggs
The egg is a source of choline, an important substance for memory and mood. Vitamin B12 and B6 are also richly abundant in eggs.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a rich source of vitamin K to the body and protects the brain against degeneration.
Nuts
Nuts improve heart function, thus, ensuring blood circulation to the brain. It also slows cognitive decline by preventing damage to neurons from free radicals.
Oranges
Orange lows the onset of aging and mental decline. Fights brain damage from free radicals.
Green tea
Green tea reduces anxiety as well as improves memory and alertness.
Tips for keeping your brain healthy:
- Take healthy diets
- Get enough sleep daily
- Exercise regularly
- Keep your brain active
- Maintain good relationships
- Stay happy always
