Good for the brain: Which foods make you mentally fit
Unfortunately we can not eat the wisdom with spoons. But what works: to make the gray cells fit with a clever diet - for more attention and performance. The effort is worthwhile. Because the brain needs 20 percent of our total energy needs, even though it's only two percent of our body weight. And what does it like best? Sugar and fat. But of course not every sugar and fat. Our brain is greedy but demanding.
Fish: Remembering made easy
In fat herring, salmon or tuna are many omega-3 fatty acids - the brain food par excellence. These fatty acids keep the cell envelopes supple and permeable, the information can flow freely - good for remembering and learning. If you do not like fish: linseed oil, flaxseed and walnuts also provide omega-3 fatty acids.
Wholemeal bread: continuous performance guaranteed
The brain desperately needs sugar. But chocolate bars, cakes and biscuits are not the right thing. Sweet things cause big fluctuations in the blood sugar level, and then the gray cells are not evenly supplied with energy. Wholemeal bread and pasta contain complex carbohydrates, from which the sugar slowly passes into the blood. This is better for the brain, because it is programmed for continuous performance.
Oatmeal: Rapid data flow
Oat is also a good fat supplier, containing more fatty acids than millet, wheat or rye. They are needed for the rapid flow of data between brain cells. There is also magnesium in oats. The mineral provides a smooth energy supply and protects the nervous system from stress.
Soy: Combine Help
The legume contains lecithin, an important component of cell membranes. The fat-like substance makes it easier for nerve cells to regenerate and improve signal transmission between brain cells - for quick combination. In addition, lecithin is converted to acetylcholine, the most important messenger of the nervous system.
Nuts: full concentration
Why is student food mainly made from nuts? Because cholesterol is abundant in nuts. The B-vitamin is the precursor for the important nerve messenger acetylcholine - a guarantee for full concentration. In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts, hazelnuts or peanuts contain the amino acid isoleucine, which also increases your ability to think.
Avocado: Strong nerves
A good nervous costume thanks to avocados? There's something in it, because the fruits contain B vitamins, especially B1 and B6. Thus, the protective sheath of the cells remains beautifully supple. Avocados also provide a lot of protein, whose amino acids are needed as a building material for the brain, nerves and messengers.
Bananas: mood-maker
Bad mood at work? Try bananas for breakfast, for example in a cereal. The fruits contain much of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin in the brain. This "happiness hormone" is often in short supply in the dark season.
Apples: Longer fit
An apple a day not only benefits the immune system, but also the brain. Apples contain quercetin, a phytochemical that protects brain cells from free radicals. That keeps her young. In one study, red apples proved to be more effective compared to yellows or greens, because they contain more radical scavengers.
Tea: Reminder
Where do I have ...? Become a tea drinker. Tea protects the brain, it blocks a specific enzyme that promotes memory loss. With a few cups of green tea, the effect lasts for a week, in black a day.
Water: Fresh thoughts
Drinking is just always right. This keeps the blood fluid, and the oxygen quickly reaches the gray cells - that's good for thinking and working. For oxygen is our brain namely specially dependent, every fifth breath freshens up the gray cells.
