Eating for optimal brain health is one of the best things that people can do to reduce the risk of dementia. Maintaining a healthy diet overall will limit the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, clogged arteries, diabetes and other issues that limit the flow of blood to the brain, overwhelm the body and make people more vulnerable to age-related disease. Following are several foods that are well-worth adding to the diet, given their ability to stave off degenerative brain illnesses.
Fatty Fish
You should strive to eat at least two to three servings of fatty fish per week. These include salmon, trout, tuna and mackerel. These fish are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids which are believed to diminish the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Coconut Oil
Although coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, the saturated fats that coconut oil contains are actually great for the brain. In fact, studies have shown that they closely mimic the effects of special lipids found in breast milk. Coconut oil is also extremely stable, which means that it can be safely used for cooking. People can add it to their soups, stews and stir-fry several times per week.
Berries
Dark-colored berries such as blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants that support brain health. They are also low-calorie snacks that seniors can munch on all throughout the day without suffering any adverse effects. These can be added to fruit salads or cooked oats or eaten alone with a small amount of honey.
Fight Dementia With Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables are an essential addition to any balanced, healthy diet given the vast array of nutrients that they contain. Kale, chard, collard greens, spinach and mustard greens are rich in manganese and magnesium. These minerals are becoming increasingly hard to find due to modern food production methods. They help people maintain mood balance and avoid problems like chronic anxiety and depression. They can also assist in facilitating the optimal production of important mood balancing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
