superfoods to boost your brainpower naturally

Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids and fiber, both soluble and insoluble. These tiny yet mighty seeds can aid in managing blood glucose levels. It is also an antiinflammatory, can aid in hydration, and abundant in antioxidants.

Chocolates contain flavonoids, a plantbased antioxidants, that according to studies can help improve brain function especially in elderly people with moderate impaired cognitive ability. It can also improve the mood.

Red cabbage is packed with polyphenols, a strong antioxidant which helps the brain and the heart. Moreover, it has glucosinolates that help fight against cancer.

Sunflower seeds same as pumpkin seeds is also rich in protein, omega fatty acids and B vitamins. It has tryptophan that helps the brain convert serotonin to improve mood and fight depression.

Spinach can delay the arrival of dementia in old age. Its nutrients can prevent damage to DNA, cancer cell development, and tumor growth. It also reduces the effects of aging on the brain. Moreover, it is also a great source of folate and vitamin E.

According to Katz, lentils are full of brainfriendly B vitamin folate, which helps keep your mind sharp as you age, thiamin and vitamin B6, which give you more focus and energy, iron, which is important for cognitive functioning in women during childbearing years, and zinc, which is said to be a memory booster. Silicon Valley has promised us that, someday, little nanobots will act like tiny microprocessors in our brains, helping to make us smarter, Katz says. I say, why wait? We already have a teensy food that does that. Its the lentil, the vegetable kingdoms version of a Lilliputian flying saucer.

Katz loves mint because its a good source of vitamin A, which can help boost learning skills and increase brain plasticity, vitamin C, which is said to protect against cognitive decline, and for other, unexpected reasons. There are fascinating studies out there about how the scent of mint affects brain functioning, Katz says. In one study, the aroma of mint helped boost alertness and memory. In another, it helped test subjects perform better on basic clerical skills, such as typing and memorization. Just the scent of mint has been shown to increase alertness. Maybe start by taking a big whiff of your toothpaste in the morning?

Even if eating them isnt totally appealing, your brain loves these tiny fish. In fact, Katz refers to them as Prozac in a can, since sardines are loaded with vitamin B12, which has been shown to boost memory and ward off depression. Theyre also a rich source of omega3 fatty acids, which help keep your brain sharp, and are high in niacin, which can boost mental energy.

According to Katz, almonds may help your body fight inflammation in ways that can boost mood and slow the mental decline that comes with age, as well as raise levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with fewer down moods and less depression, she says. Which is awesome since theyre also delish.

Cashews are a great source of two brainboosting minerals, zinc and magnesium, Katz explains. Zinc is important because low levels of the mineral are associated with depression, and it may improve memory as well, while magnesium has been shown to help better regulate sleeping patterns and may improve learning skills. Cashews also contain the B vitamin thiamin, which Katz says has been linked to more mental energy and better moods in women, plus vitamin E, which in low levels is linked to poor cognition. Not to mention their creamy, amazing taste.