We have heard that Nuts are the Best Brain Food. Let's find out why! We’re constantly worrying about feeding our bodies well, getting the right balance of nutrients, managing calories and making sure our food is as healthy as it is tasty. But what about food for the brain? Like every other organ, the brain too needs to be fueled right in order to function well.
Nuts are the best brain food
Eating a daily portion of nuts and seeds is known to reduce LDL (“bad cholesterol”), blood sugar, oxidative stress and inflammation—all risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.
The super brain food, walnuts, help boost memory and according to a new Journal of Alzheimer's Disease report, eating walnuts as part of a Mediterranean diet was associated with better memory and brain function. It is seen that antioxidants present in walnuts help counteract age-related cognitive decline and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's.
So what makes nuts and seeds so good for the brain?
For starters, they are whole foods rich in plant proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and other antioxidants, and phytosterols.
They are increasingly recommended (in measured amounts) to help people prevent or treat heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases that are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E, high levels of which are seen to correspond with slower cognitive decline with age.
What is the best way to consume nuts?
1) Make a handful of assorted nuts and seeds (amounting to about 1/8th cup in total) of a couple of walnuts, few almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed. Vary the combinations daily for crunch and flavor. This is best consumed first thing in the morning, or post a workout.
2) Add at least 2 kinds of nuts and seeds to your breakfast cereal every day. It adds crunch, flavor and texture to what can otherwise be a dull bowl of cereal.
3) Try including (preferably homemade) nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini (Sesame seeds butter) into your diet. Use it in salad dressings, slap it on toast, use it inside chapatti rolls or just include a spoonful in your daily breakfast.
It is best to raw consume nuts in an unsalted form at the start of your day. This kickstarts brain function and ensures best assimilation.
It’s the time for high brain activity, whether at work, after a workout, kids dealing with exams, adults are closing accounts, year-end activities at work and at home are consuming our mental bandwidth and there’s no better time than now to up your intake of nuts, seeds and boost your brain to continue functioning well.
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