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Can what you eat make you smarter? Surprisingly yes. Not only do the right foods boost brain power but also fight off common brain diseases like Alzheimer's (AD) and dementia.
5 foods that boost memory and protect brain cells
Chocolate
Our favourite on the list, chocolates are filled with flavonoids (similar to antioxidants) that promote brain health and destroy free radicals. The best source of flavonoids is dark chocolate (more than 75 percent cocoa). If you don't have a sweet tooth, you can try other flavonoid rich sources such as red wine, grapes and even onions.
Fish
Not just any fish but those packed with omega-3 fatty acids. These include tuna, sardine and salmon. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for transmitting signals between brain cells and close to half of the fatty acids that make up your brain cell membranes are composed of DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid commonly found in fish oil).
"Subjects who consumed fish 3 times a week had a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease by 39 percent." - Tufts University (2006 Study)
Curry
Recent animal studies show that strong spices such as curcumin that are found in preparations of Indian and Thai curry, flush away amyloid plaques and also reduce inflammation in the brain; both linked to brain disease.
Caffeine
We know caffeine from coffee and tea keeps your brain more alert but a 2007 study by French scientists on elderly women who consumed more than 3 cups of coffee daily, found that they were able to recall more words than those who didn't. A subsequent study also showed coffee drinkers having a 30 percent reduced risk of Alzheimer's.
Alcohol
Alcohol has always been thought to damage brain cells but a new JAMA study points otherwise. Drinking in moderation (just one daily) reduces the risk of dementia by a whopping 54 percent and as a bonus also protects the cardiovascular system.
So it's chocolates, fish, curry, caffeine and alcohol. That should make for an interesting meal.
