3 Foods to Help Your Brain Stay Sharp
By Martin Henderson
Everybody wants to be better. They want to be better in body they want to be better in mind and they want to be better and spirit.
If you're looking to become better in mind, then you want to feed your mind the best stuff available to take advantage at what your grey matter can do. You want to pay attention? You want to focus? You want to pull out memories of algebra from Mr. Blake's class in high school? Then you need to take care of your mind. And you do that the same way that you take care of your body, buy nourishing it and using it.
So what foods are out there that can help you make the most of your mind and take advantage of all that your brain has to offer?
Dark Chocolate
Did you ever think in your wildest dreams that chocolate would be good for you? Remember back in high school when your primary concern about chocolate was whether it would make you break out in acne? The reality is that, as adults, we don't have to be so scared of chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate can be quite healthy and offers several benefits. It may lack the sugary sweetness of milk chocolate, but the bitter dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao will deliver antioxidants and protect the body's cells. That cell protection not only includes the heart, but also the brain. Let's face it, when it comes to protecting important parts of your body, the heart and brain are at the top of the list. So if you want to have a little bit of chocolate in your life, knock yourself out.
Water
Remember when you heard that your body was made up of 60 percent water? It's true, and it's important that you consistently replenish your body with this most important beverage. Ever seen a fruit that's dried out but is restored when it's soaked in water? That's your body and your brain -- and both need water to ensure maximum performance. You don't want them to shrivel up like a raisin, do you? The general rule of thumb is that you should drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Not only will it help keep you regular, but it will also keep you hydrated, and that will help keep you sharp and on your toes.
Leafy greens
I'm not a fan of kale. Seems like it's too hard to prepare when you want to cook it, and I'm not crazy about it in its raw form. But there are plenty of advantages to eating kale and other leafy greens if you can stomach it. Digestion is aided by the fiber that it provides, and the immune system is aided by the Vitamin C that it delivers. Add it to your salad as a means to control calories (because everyone wants to control their weight) and let it deliver its powerful nutrients to the brain as well.
It's important to take care of your brain, and there are some easy ways to help it stay sharp as you get older. Taking advantage of a staple like water, along with smart vegetables like leafy greens, and the bite of chocolate for dessert, can help you along your way.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Casa Grande, Ariz.