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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHere\u2019s How it Works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOur brains are powerful, complicated machines that are always hard at work (even when we\u2019re sleeping). And like any machine, the brain requires a steady supply of fuel to keep it going. That fuel comes from the foods we eat, and according to scientists, certain types of foods help our brains function better than others. But eating healthy doesn\u2019t just mean your brain will be better equipped to calculate complex equations or memorize capital cities. A well-fed<\/strong> brain can actually put you in a better<\/strong> mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt starts with our stomachs, which are filled with neurons, or nerve cells, that send messages to the brain that often influence our emotional state. Healthy foods help protect the digestive system and keep it running efficiently, which gives those neurons nothing but good news to report to your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good Brain Fuel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSo what exactly are some foods that will make your brain, that is, you, feel great? Research<\/a> has shown that foods containing high levels of nutrients provide the brain with power and protect it from stress. Think crisp carrots, juicy apples, turkey on whole wheat, or even a curly kale smoothie.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFruits<\/strong>, veggies<\/strong>, whole grains<\/strong>, and lean meats<\/strong> are the kinds of foods that keep our stomachs and our brains working well, and that, in turn, improve our mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNutrients good for brain health should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Folate \u2013 It helps with dopamine production without forcing it to surge the way sugars do. Find it in leafy greens, lentils, and cantaloupes.<\/li>
- Iron – is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development.<\/li>
- Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).<\/li>
- Magnesium – This helps with everything from nerve and muscle function to keeping a heartbeat steady. Load up with natural sources such as dark chocolate, cacao nibs, almonds and cashews, spinach and other dark leafy greens, bananas, and beans.<\/li>
- Selenium – It is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins that help to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections.<\/li>
- Thiamine – It helps the body generate energy from nutrients.<\/li>
- Vitamin A \u2013 It is a nutrient important to vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity.<\/li>
- Vitamin B6 – It is a vitamin that benefits the central nervous system and metabolism.<\/li>
- Vitamin B12 – It is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.<\/li>
- Vitamin C – It is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also vital to your body’s healing process.<\/li>
- Zinc – It’s needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. It also plays a key role in maintaining vision and might have effects against viruses.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
That means all foods containing the above nutrients are all good for brain health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not-So-Good Brain Fuel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as some foods can have a positive effect on how we feel, others can do quite the opposite. Highly processed foods and those with lots of unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt added to them are not great brain fuel. Sure, these treats may be tasty, but studies<\/a> have shown that eating an excessive amount of sweets and junk food is detrimental to the brain\u2019s ability to function and can even leave us feeling indignant or melancholy. That\u2019s because these foods don\u2019t just upset your stomach they can upset your brain and, consequently, your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFuel for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBut it\u2019s not just about today\u2019s mood. People\u2019s brains continue growing well into their 20s, and scientists say that what teens eat can have a deleterious effect on how their brains develop. The final part of the brain to mature is the area of the brain that\u2019s vital for behavioral control and decision-making, and a diet rife with sugar and unhealthy fats can sidetrack this development, making it harder for the person to make positive decisions down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It starts with our stomachs, which are filled with neurons, or nerve cells, that send messages to the brain that often influence our emotional state. Healthy foods help protect the digestive system and keep it running efficiently, which gives those neurons nothing but good news to report to your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good Brain Fuel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSo what exactly are some foods that will make your brain, that is, you, feel great? Research<\/a> has shown that foods containing high levels of nutrients provide the brain with power and protect it from stress. Think crisp carrots, juicy apples, turkey on whole wheat, or even a curly kale smoothie.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFruits<\/strong>, veggies<\/strong>, whole grains<\/strong>, and lean meats<\/strong> are the kinds of foods that keep our stomachs and our brains working well, and that, in turn, improve our mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNutrients good for brain health should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Folate \u2013 It helps with dopamine production without forcing it to surge the way sugars do. Find it in leafy greens, lentils, and cantaloupes.<\/li>
- Iron – is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development.<\/li>
- Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).<\/li>
- Magnesium – This helps with everything from nerve and muscle function to keeping a heartbeat steady. Load up with natural sources such as dark chocolate, cacao nibs, almonds and cashews, spinach and other dark leafy greens, bananas, and beans.<\/li>
- Selenium – It is an essential component of various enzymes and proteins that help to make DNA and protect against cell damage and infections.<\/li>
- Thiamine – It helps the body generate energy from nutrients.<\/li>
- Vitamin A \u2013 It is a nutrient important to vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity.<\/li>
- Vitamin B6 – It is a vitamin that benefits the central nervous system and metabolism.<\/li>
- Vitamin B12 – It is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.<\/li>
- Vitamin C – It is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also vital to your body’s healing process.<\/li>
- Zinc – It’s needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. It also plays a key role in maintaining vision and might have effects against viruses.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
That means all foods containing the above nutrients are all good for brain health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not-So-Good Brain Fuel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nJust as some foods can have a positive effect on how we feel, others can do quite the opposite. Highly processed foods and those with lots of unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt added to them are not great brain fuel. Sure, these treats may be tasty, but studies<\/a> have shown that eating an excessive amount of sweets and junk food is detrimental to the brain\u2019s ability to function and can even leave us feeling indignant or melancholy. That\u2019s because these foods don\u2019t just upset your stomach they can upset your brain and, consequently, your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFuel for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBut it\u2019s not just about today\u2019s mood. People\u2019s brains continue growing well into their 20s, and scientists say that what teens eat can have a deleterious effect on how their brains develop. The final part of the brain to mature is the area of the brain that\u2019s vital for behavioral control and decision-making, and a diet rife with sugar and unhealthy fats can sidetrack this development, making it harder for the person to make positive decisions down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruits<\/strong>, veggies<\/strong>, whole grains<\/strong>, and lean meats<\/strong> are the kinds of foods that keep our stomachs and our brains working well, and that, in turn, improve our mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nutrients good for brain health should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n That means all foods containing the above nutrients are all good for brain health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as some foods can have a positive effect on how we feel, others can do quite the opposite. Highly processed foods and those with lots of unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt added to them are not great brain fuel. Sure, these treats may be tasty, but studies<\/a> have shown that eating an excessive amount of sweets and junk food is detrimental to the brain\u2019s ability to function and can even leave us feeling indignant or melancholy. That\u2019s because these foods don\u2019t just upset your stomach they can upset your brain and, consequently, your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s not just about today\u2019s mood. People\u2019s brains continue growing well into their 20s, and scientists say that what teens eat can have a deleterious effect on how their brains develop. The final part of the brain to mature is the area of the brain that\u2019s vital for behavioral control and decision-making, and a diet rife with sugar and unhealthy fats can sidetrack this development, making it harder for the person to make positive decisions down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot-So-Good Brain Fuel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fuel for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n