Healthy Foods For Your Body And Brain

Everyone has heard the expression, "You are what you eat." This very simple saying means more and more each day as we gain a greater understanding of how foods affect us. In fact, the food you put into your body has an effect on your physical appearance, energy levels, bodily processes, and how well your brain functions.

Your brain is a system of chemical connections firing off at each other so fast that it's almost impossible to fathom. Well, the food you eat affects the chemical makeup of your brain, altering how it acts and works. Feelings and emotions also affect your brain. Obviously, feelings are born in the brain, and depending on the emotion, they can alter the brain's chemistry. For example, some people with mental health issues do not produce certain chemicals in their brain, which radically changes their behavior patterns.

There are things you can do to regulate this chemical reaction on a daily basis, and it's simpler than you may think! Eating certain foods can specifically affect different functions of the body, the chemicals in your brain, and your emotions. Below are five examples of healthy food for your mind and body.

1Foods Rich In Omega-3

Eating foods high in omega-3s has plenty of health benefits, including improving your brain's development and functions. The omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, is an important polyunsaturated fat found in the brain. Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA.

2Foods Rich In Choline

Choline is a chemical building block of every cell in your body. Choline has also been shown to help with retaining information in your memory. The more choline your lifetime diet includes, the less likely you'll be to face extreme memory loss as you grow older. Egg yolks have a high concentration of choline in them.

3Foods Containing Antioxidants

We all recognize the health benefits of antioxidants in fighting diseases. But did you know a cup of hot cocoa has a higher concentration of antioxidants in it than either red wine or green tea? It's true – as long as you use dark chocolate. Serve a cup of rich dark hot cocoa after dinner, and know you're actually taking good care of your health!

4Green Tea And Its Derivatives

Have a glass of green tea every day! Doing so will help keep the cognitive functions of your brain in tiptop shape. Studies have shown, 70% of people who drank green tea showed an improvement in the functions of the brain.

5Juice From Cranberry

Cranberry juice is good for your body, specifically for kidney and urinary functions. It also helps prevent a stroke. Moreover, cranberry juice has been shown to help reduce brain cell damage after a stroke.

Eating a well-balanced diet, that includes fruits, vegetables, protein, and some fat, is the best way to nourish both the body and mind. Our bodies are highly complicated machines requiring many different things to function properly, and what we eat determines how it functions. By taking simple steps to optimize your nutrition, you'll also optimize your mind and body. Start making healthy, nutritious food choices today, and enjoy looking, feeling, and thinking better.

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