What foods are good for the brains development?

Food has a great impact on an individual’s mind and emotions as different foods are related to different chemicals and hormones in our body. Nutrition is a key to brains development and is very important when it comes to having a better concentration and learning.

One way to improve early brain development is through nutrition. Other factors include social support and attachment, as well as reducing toxic stress and inflammation. The brain, like everything else in your body, cannot function without energy. The ability to concentrate and focus is derived from a constant supply of energy (in the form of glucose) in our blood to the brain. Psychologists and Psychiatrists in India recommend following a healthy diet along with a therapy plan.

Few healthy foods for brains development are mentioned here below.

How it works:

• Foods with a low glycemic index (GI) can help the brain operate by managing blood sugar levels. These foods can help individuals especially students to focus and concentrate at school.
• Although there is no single ‘brain food’ that can protect against age-related disorders like Alzheimer’s or dementia, eating mindfully gives you the best chance of getting the nutrients you require for cognitive health and mood.
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes these brain-boosting foods may help you maintain peak memory, concentration, and focus.

Food items and its particular benefits:

Food item: Fish, oils and seeds

Benefits:

• Fish, plant oils, chia seeds, flax seed and walnut help keep the membranes that surround all cells in the body working well.
• It is also known to help a child psychologically to manage emotions and behaviour
• It helps fight obesity, and reduces chances of heart attacks.

Food item: Fruits (berries and tomatoes)

Benefits:

Fruits such as blueberries and tomatoes have health benefits as well as psychological benefits.

• Blueberries may help to improve or delay short-term memory loss. Replacements can be red and purple fruits and vegetables, such as blackberries, and red cabbage.
• Antioxidants found in tomatoes may help protect cells from the type of free radical damage that occurs during the development of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s.
• To maximise your body’s absorption and use, prefer cooked tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Papaya, watermelon, and pink grapefruit are other foods that contain this and similar protective phytonutrients.

Food item: Vitamin E (Nuts)

Benefits:

• An adequate vitamin E intake may aid in the prevention of cognitive decline, particularly in the elderly.
• Nuts, along with leafy green vegetables, asparagus, olives, seeds, eggs, brown rice, and whole grains, are high in vitamin E.

Food item: Vitamin C (Blackcurrants, oranges, bell peppers)

Benefits:

• Blackcurrants are an excellent source of this essential vitamin. It has long been thought to improve mental agility.
• Research suggests that a lack of it may be a risk factor for age-related brain degeneration such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
• Vitamin C may be beneficial in the management of anxiety and stress.
• Other citric options for a supply of Vitamin C are bell peppers, oranges, and broccoli.

Food item: Zinc (Pumpkin seeds)

Benefits:

• Pumpkin seeds are higher in zinc than many other seeds, making them a good source of this important mineral for memory and thinking.
• They’re also high in magnesium, B vitamins, and tryptophan, which is the precursor to the happy neurotransmitter serotonin.

Food item: B vitamins (Eggs, chicken, and leafy greens)

Benefits:

• B vitamins, such as B1, B3, and choline, are essential for maintaining normal brain function.
• Choline, which is abundant in egg yolks is a memory-enhancing brain neurotransmitter.
• For vegan options seek for vitamin B12 in fortified foods like plant milks and morning cereals, or take a supplement.
• Nutritional yeast, avocado, soya, almonds, and seeds are all good vegan sources of B vitamins, including B6.

These essentials are for brain development and are required by individuals across all age groups. Best rehabs in India such as Veda Rehab and Wellness (current blog) have a specific norm under which it is made sure that dietary requirements of every client are taken care of. Since all individuals are different, psychologists and nutritionists here work together to make sure that the food is in alignment with the brains requirements to fight mental illnesses.

Written by:

Shaili Mehta

Veda Rehab and Wellness