Spinach is especially good for the brain because it has a high concentration of an antioxidant called lutein, which helps in cleansing toxins from the brain and prevents age-related mental decline.
It is a known fact that green leafy vegetables contribute to better memory power. Spinach is loaded with folate and vitamins E and K, which play a significant role in slowing down cognitive decline. You can also include other veggies like cabbage and lettuce in your daily diet for better brain functioning.
1. Fatty fish. When people talk about brain foods, fatty fish is often at the top of the list. This type of fish includes salmon, trout, albacore tuna, herring, and sardines, all of which are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids ( 1 ).
Leafy greens
Spinach, collards, kale -- you name it. These veggies are rich in brain-boosting nutrients such as beta-carotene, folic acid, lutein and vitamin K. Plus, research has shown that plant-based foods may be especially good for curbing cognitive decline.
Spinach is a nutritious, leafy green. This vegetable has been shown to benefit health in several ways. Spinach may decrease oxidative stress, improve eye health, and help prevent heart disease and cancer. If you're interested in its health-boosting potential, spinach is an easy food to add to your diet.
If you eat spinach every day in excessive amounts (more than a bowl) there can be adverse health effects. Most commonly these include gas, bloating and cramps due to its high fiber content. Eating too much spinach can also interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Spinach. The leafy green is packed with nutrients, but you'll absorb more calcium and iron if you eat it cooked. The reason: Spinach is loaded with oxalic acid, which blocks the absorption of iron and calcium but breaks down under high temperatures.
Certain fruits such as oranges, bell peppers, guava, kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries, contain high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps prevent brain cells from becoming damaged and supports overall brain health. In fact, a study found that vitamin C can potentially prevent Alzheimer's.
B vitamins like B6, B12, and B9 (folic acid) all play a role in brain health.
What are the foods that fight memory loss? Berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables are 3 of the best foods that fight memory loss. There's a mountain of evidence showing they support and protect brain health.
It Helps Manage Blood Pressure
Spinach is also a source of nitrates, which are naturally-occurring chemicals. Nitrates open up or dilate blood vessels. That improves blood flow and eases stress on the heart.
All of the vitamins and minerals in these powerful plants can also combat brain fog culprits like iron and vitamin deficiencies. All kinds of dark leafy greens, like spinach, collard greens, kale and chard, are great choices.
Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds—pick your favorite, then add it to your brain food snacks for the day. Eat them raw and unsalted, or swap out a handful of nuts for a healthy scoop of your favorite nut butter. Nuts and seeds are easy to travel with and are found in every country.
A study published today in Frontiers in Nutrition showed that regular consumption of avocados is linked to better cognition.
Other B vitamins including vitamins B1, B3 and choline play an important part in regulating normal brain function. Choline, which is rich in egg yolk, is essential for the memory-boosting brain chemical, acetylcholine. Opt for B-rich foods like eggs, chicken, fish, leafy greens and dairy.
Spinach and other leafy greens are packed full of a variety of nutrients that help improve the appearance of your skin. For example, Vitamin A is an antioxidant that eliminates free radicals from your skin cells.
Spinach is a green leafy vegetable that we all know to be really healthy, due to the presence of high levels of antioxidants in it. However, the best way to eat spinach is not after blanching or boiling it, but rather adding it to your smoothies or juicing it, says a new study.
5 A Day vegetable portions
A portion is 2 broccoli spears, 2 heaped tablespoons of cooked spinach or 4 heaped tablespoons of cooked kale, spring greens or green beans.