Paying close attention to your brain’s health may help you lead a longer life and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stroke. Plus, you will feel better and have an easier time handling stress as well as doing your daily duties like shopping and cooking.
PLAY BRAIN GAMES
Is your life all work and no play? Then your brain may not be getting the proper cognitive training. Keep your brain sharp with mind-challenging games and puzzles aimed to improve reaction time, increase your attention span, and boost your memory. Check out the online games from My Brain Trainer, Happy Neuron, and Your Amazing Brain. Or, just pick up your newspaper: Studies have shown that working a daily crossword or Sudoku puzzle helps keep the brain functioning properly.
EAT BRAIN FOOD
According to a recent study, eating a healthy diet of low-fat and low-in-cholesterol foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may protect your brain cells, encourage blood flow to the brain, and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Here is a list of healthy brain foods:
Dark colored vegetables. Leafy greens like kale, chard and spinach as well as Brussels sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, and broccoli are excellent brain foods. In addition, beets, red bell pepper, corn and eggplant supply your brain with optimal nutrients.
Dark-skinned fruits. Prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, red grapes and cherries are ripe with antioxidants.
Cold water fish. Fatty fish are particularly healthy for the brain because they are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation in the brain, a factor in Alzheimer’s. Try salmon, mackerel, trout and tuna as well as tilapia and halibut.
Nuts. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are good sources of healthy fats and protein.
BRAIN BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
If you exercise regularly, good news: All of those sweat sessions are great for your brain. Studies say that not only does exercise improve circulation throughout the body, including the brain, it also it has been shown to stimulate the growth of new brain and muscle cells. Now, that’s what you call an allover body workout!
