As we get older, it’s only natural for our brain health to start slowing down. It’s like a car that’s been running for a long time – it’s bound to need a tune-up every now and then. But just like a car, we have the power to take care of our brains and keep them running smoothly. With a little bit of effort and TLC, we can prevent our brain health from declining too much.
Dr. Uma Naidoo is a nutritional psychiatrist, and she was kind enough to share the info about her ‘BRAIN FOODS’ in order for our minds to remain healthy as we age, according to CNBC. As you might have expected, ‘BRAIN FOODS’ are acronyms, and here’s what they refer to:
- B: Berries and beans
- R: Rainbow colors of fruits and vegetables
- A: Antioxidants
- I: Include lean proteins and plant-based proteins
- N: Nuts
- F: Fiber-rich foods and fermented foods
- O: Oils
- O: Omega-rich foods
- D: Dairy
- S: Spices
Why consume oils, for instance? To maintain a healthy diet, it is important to limit your intake of unhealthy fats such as saturated fats and oils used for frying. However, it is also important to include sources of healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and oily fish, in your diet.
How about dairy foods? Including dairy products with probiotic cultures, such as yogurt and kefir, in your diet can have a variety of benefits for your gut health. These probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, can help to balance the microorganisms in your digestive system and support a healthy immune system. In addition to the probiotics, these dairy products also contain protein which is important for maintaining and repairing tissues in the body. If you choose to include dairy in your diet, it may be beneficial to opt for grass-fed options as they are believed to be higher in certain nutrients that may support brain health.
So don’t let age get you down; just roll up your sleeves and give your brain the care it deserves!
