Eating an overall healthy diet is definitely the way to go if you want to ward of disease and aging in general. We have certainly heard of numerous super-foods that have shown to improve Diabetes, Heart Disease, and even some cancers.
Foods like fish, whole wheat, and fruits and vegetables have tons of great nutrients. But what about foods for the brain. What should we be focusing on to keep our memory strong and healthy for years to come.
Well certainly memory boosting nuts and seeds come to mind as a front runner. These little treats are loaded with health benefits.
Memory Boosting Nuts to Add to Your Diet Today
- Walnuts,
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Brazil Nuts
- Hazelnuts
- Peanuts
Vitamin E the Secret Nutrient
Vitamin E is classified as a fat soluble vitamin that serves as an antioxidant. It functions to protect cells from free radical damage. It occurs naturally in foods or can be taken as a supplement.
“Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E…” (Sorgen, 2013) . Add an ounce a day of walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and unhydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini. via Eat Smart for a Heathier Brain
With such a variety and different forms to choose from it becomes extremely easy to add them to any diet. And the health benefits far supersede just memory. They keep you full longer so you do not have the urge to binge, they are known to help with heart health and cholesterol, and strengthen the immune system.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that a good intake of vitamin E might help to prevent cognitive decline, particularly in the elderly. Nuts are a great source of vitamin E along with leafy green vegetables, asparagus, olives, seeds, eggs, brown rice and wholegrains. via 10 Foods to Boost Your Brainpower
Walnuts the Creme-de-la-Creme of Memory Boosting Nuts
All nuts and seeds seem to have health benefits, however the walnut appears to stand above the rest.
Adding walnuts to your diet may help boost your memory according to a new Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease report. Researchers found that eating walnuts as part of a Mediterranean diet was associated with better memory and brain function. The antioxidants in walnuts may help counteract age-related cognitive decline and even reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. via The Brain Boosting Nut
It Even Looks Like a Brain
Both figuratively and literally speaking, walnuts are “brain food”. As Rebecca Wood points out in her New Foods Encyclopedia,”the walnut looks remarkably like the human brain. The thin, outer green husk, which is removed before the walnuts are marketed, is likened to the scalp. The walnut’s hard shell is like a skull. The thin envelope inside, with its paper-like partitions between the two halves of the nut, is like the membrane. The convoluted nut itself represents the human brain’s two hemispheres”. via Research Shows That Seeds and Nuts Are Brain Foods That Can Also Stabilize Your Mood
Even More Nutrients
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B
- Arginine
- Fiber
- Copper
- Folic Acid
- Potassium
- Healthy Fats
While all nuts have a number of nutrients some seem to be just a little better than others.
Cashews, for example, offer your body zinc and magnesium you may not get otherwise. They boost your brain power, so get creative about your cashew consumption and sprinkle them on top of a salad, or spread cashew butter on top of a piece of whole grain toast for a quick snack. via Go Nutty! Health Benefits of Nuts! | Fitness 19
Almonds are high in magnesium, and vitamins E and B, which help boost the immune system. Hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts and almonds are also rich in arginine, an amino acid that converts into nitric oxide once in the body and basically helps keep blood vessels relaxed and clear. via Go Nuts For Nuts–Health Benefits of Nuts – Green-Mom.com
Although nuts contain some saturated fat, most are rich in monounsaturated fats and are packed with important nutrients. Dietary fiber, magnesium, copper, folic acid, potassium, vitamin E and protective phyto-nutrients are found in nuts, all contributors to cardiovascular health. via Good News about Nuts and Your Health | HealthHub | Brigham and …
Final Thoughts About Memory Boosting Nuts
Nuts are probably one of the easiest healthy foods to eat. They taste great in their natural form so just grab a handful and nibble away. Sprinkle them on your morning cereal or add them to almost any meal. Cashews taste great in a stir fry. The health benefits are enough that they should become a staple to any diet.
References
Sorgen, C. (2013). Eat Smart for a Healther Brain. WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/eat-smart-healthier-brain
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.