Prevent memory loss and boost your brain function with these 4 superfoods
05/27/2020 / By Skye Anderson / Comments
Prevent memory loss and boost your brain function with these 4 superfoods

People fear old age for many reasons, not least of which are the changes it brings to the human body. As people get older, their skin begins to sag and form wrinkles; their hair thins out and their muscles and bones grow weaker. But one of the most dreaded yet inevitable signs of aging is slow, progressive memory decline.

According to health experts, being forgetful is a normal part of the aging process, but one that shouldn’t disrupt your daily life or activities. When it does, doctors consider it an abnormal occurrence that’s likely a symptom of a brain disorder. Dementia, which results from the death of nerve cells in the brain, is often the culprit behind the deterioration of mental faculties seen in older adults.

Common types of dementia, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, are often linked to memory loss. Dementia affects around 50 million people around the world, according to statistics, and it’s one of the major causes of disabilities among the elderly. Besides memory, dementia also impairs language and thinking skills, and negatively impacts a person’s behavior.

Fortunately, scientists have discovered ways of preventing or slowing down cognitive impairment without the use of medications. All these approaches entail is making healthy changes to your daily diet. For instance, a 2016 study by British researchers found that strictly following the Mediterranean diet slows down age-related cognitive decline and even slashes the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Another, more recent study pools scientific evidence supporting the use of certain foods and herbal supplements to boost brain function in the elderly. After reviewing the findings of studies published from 1970 to 2017, Italian and Polish researchers came to the conclusion that superfoods like cocoa, tea and grapes, as well as supplements containing Ginkgo biloba extract, can effectively delay the onset or progression of brain diseases and improve cognitive function.

Foods that can boost brain health

Like medicinal herbs, functional foods are capable of promoting good health because they’re replete with essential nutrients and possess a wide range of beneficial properties. These include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and neuroprotective properties, to name a few. Here are four of the best superfoods mentioned in the Italian-Polish study that can help prevent age-related cognitive decline:

Cocoa

Cocoa is a famous food ingredient used to make the world’s most beloved sweet treat: chocolate. Cocoa comes from the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), whose seeds are dried and fermented to produce cocoa products. The high flavanol content of pure cocoa is said to be responsible for its positive effects on cognition.

In one study, researchers found that adults who regularly took high-flavanol cocoa supplements performed better on memory tests than adults who took low-flavanol ones. Several studies have also found that cocoa flavonols increase blood flow to certain brain regions, which helps improve cognitive performance.

Ginkgo biloba

Also known as maidenhair tree or simply ginkgo, this medicinal plant is one of the oldest species of tree in the world. Extracts derived from ginkgo leaves can be found in a variety of health supplements, which are commonly used for memory enhancement. Eleven different studies have found ginkgo to be more effective than conventional medicines at improving mild cognitive impairment.

Ginkgo leaves can also be used to make tea. Research suggests they are rich in antioxidant flavonoids and terpenoids that help prevent chronic disease, improve eye health and heart function, and lower the risk of cancer.

Grapes

Vitis vinifera, a species of grape native to the Mediterranean region, is a well-known superfood that offers plenty of health benefits. Besides having anti-cancer activities, the fruits of this common grape vine can also boost heart health, help control diabetes and protect brain cells from damage. In a recent study, Italian researchers reported that older adults who took a grape-based supplement for 12 weeks experienced improvements in language, attention and memory.

Resveratrol, a plant nutrient found in the skin of grapes, is said to be a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals, which trigger the events that ultimately lead to cognitive impairment. Resveratrol is also known to prevent blood clots and lower bad cholesterol levels.

Green tea

Arguably the most popular drink on the planet, green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, a plant native to China and Southeast Asia. Numerous studies, including one from last year, have found that adults who regularly drink tea have better organized brain regions than non-drinkers. This effect of tea on brain structures consequently leads to healthier cognitive function.

According to scientists, green tea owes its brain benefits to a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to reduce memory impairment in mice. EGCG also has the ability to reduce inflammation and protect nerve cells in the brain from irreparable damage.

Certain chemicals found only in plant-based foods have powerful properties that can keep unwanted events or diseases at bay. To reduce your risk of dementia and stay mentally sharp even as you age, maintain an active lifestyle and incorporate brain-boosting foods like cocoa, green tea, grapes and ginkgo into a healthy and well-balanced diet.

Sources:

Alz.org

WHO.int

Journals.LWW.com

NutraIngredients-USA.com

ScienceDirect.com

Health.Harvard.edu

MedicalNewsToday.com

FrontiersIn.org

ScienceDaily.com

InfectAgentsCancer.BioMedCentral.com

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