It’s no secret that the capacity of our brains greatly outweighs what we use them for. This incredible piece of muscle has limitless potential, so why not make the most of it? With better use and training of your brain, you can improve your productivity, increase your performance, learn new skills, think faster, speak more fluently… the list goes on.
However, your brain can’t perform at its best if it isn’t receiving the nutrients it needs. If you’ve ever randomly felt irritable, moody or tired, it could have been due to a nutrient deficiency such as glucose – something your brain needs in order to function properly.
Let’s take a look at what you should be doing in order to keep your brain working at optimal level.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
After a long night’s rest, your body needs to replenish its blood sugar reserves, which are your body’s main source of energy. Breakfast happens to be the most effective way to ingest the complex carbs your brain needs. Studies have shown that breakfast eaters possess improved cognitive function, strength and endurance.
Some healthy breakfast ideas include vitamin-rich cereal with skimmed milk and sliced fruit, nonfat yoghurt with granola cereal, peanut butter on a whole wheat bagel with orange juice, or a bran muffin, banana and blended fruit shake. As a bonus, breakfast eaters benefit from a more regulated appetite.
Value Variety
Fruit are one of the best ways to obtain essential nutrients for your brain. This includes A and C Vitamins, folic acid, antioxidants, fiber and potassium among others. Dried fruits are available around the year and are a great source of fiber. Citrus fruits and berries are a reliable source of Vitamin C.
Vegetables are just as important for your brain health. Brightly colored veggies such as pumpkin and broccoli rabe are an excellent source of phytochemicals. Dark vegetables such as spinach and purple cabbage are a great source of antioxidants. Keep your dinner plate colorful and your brain will reap the benefits.
Supplement Where Needed
We are able to think, dream, decide, remember, etc. because of the interconnected, seemingly innumerable collection of neurons and synapses in our brain. Certain nutrients, such as uridine and choline, increase synapse density, contributing to an increased formation of synapses and neurons.
Therefore, if you want to improve your cognitive ability, you can do so through modern supplements. To get a better picture of how it works, check out this post that details the benefits of supplementing uridine, which include better sleep, increased dopamine release and improved brain function.
Consider Your Carbs
Your brain needs glucose to function, but it cannot store it. This means you have to replenish those reserves daily. Glucose is broken down from carbohydrates. Complex carbs (starches) are better for your body than simple carbs, which are from sugars. Complex carbs are better because simple carbs contain zero nutritional value and too many calories.
Therefore, it’s better to stick with the complex carbs for not only your brain health, but also your overall mental and physical wellbeing. Complex carbs can be found in many foods, including pasta, bread, rice, beans, vegetables, seeds and nuts. A diet rich in these foods will stabilize your blood sugar and keep your brain functioning properly.
Conclusion
Taking care of your brain is very similar to taking care of any other part of your body. Eating healthy and avoiding energy-crashing products such as sweets and soft drinks will go a long way in improving your brain’s ability to perform.
Be sure to keep up your vitamin, mineral and nutrient intake too, and keep to a natural diet as much as possible. Getting enough sleep, reading, maintaining a positive mood and exercising regularly will also do wonders for your gray matter.
