Food for your Brain

The food you eat affects the performance of your brain. It has been proven that by eating the right food, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, be more emotionally  stable, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young, and these are indeed all seperate functions in the brain. 

Vitamins and minerals are needed to convert ordinary amino acids into  powerful neurotransmitters.

The food you eat affects the performance of your brain. It has been proven that by eating the right food, you can boost your IQ, improve your mood, be more emotionally  stable, sharpen your memory and keep your mind young, and these are indeed all seperate functions in the brain. 

Vitamins and minerals are needed to convert ordinary amino acids into  powerful neurotransmitters.

The three key neurotransmitters are: 

1. Acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter excites other neurons and may be responsible for memory. It is involved with voluntary movement of muscles, behavioural inhibition, drinking and memory. Acetylcholine rich foods include:peanuts (with skin), wheat germ and vegetables (especially broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower)

2. Dopamine generally excites and is involved in movement, attention and learning but is also inhibitory. It is involved with voluntary movement, emotional arousal. Dopamine rich foods include all proteins (beans, nuts, soy products).

3. Serotonin usually inhibits and is involved in arousal and sleep, mood, appetite and sensitivity. Serotonin rich foods are carbohydrate based  e.g., pasta, starchy vegetables, potatoes, cereals, breads.

Also vitamins and minerals are essential for the growth and functioning of the brain aswell as Omega 3 fatty acids.  

The 'B' complex vitamins are particularly important for the brain and play a vital role in producing energy.  Vitamins A, C and E are powerful antioxidants and promote and preserve memory in the elderly. 

Minerals are also critical to mental functioning and performance. Magnesium and manganese are needed for brain energy. Sodium, potassium and calcium are important in the thinking process and they facilitate the transmission of messages.Read here in which food you can find those minerals.

Other food that stimulates the brain are Wild salmon, cocoa powder, real green tea (Matcha), blue berries, choline (sauerkraut), rosemary, ginseng, Centella asiatica (I can get fresh one on the market, mix it with two cups of water and drink it this way) and ginko biloba.

As alcohol and sugar(s) robs minerals from your system, both are bad food  for your brain.