nourished
Healthy
meals
to help
keep your
hormones
in balance
foods to power the brain
Althought it’s not exactly a scientific term, ‘super foods’ is used to refer to
particular foods that supply the body with a boost of nutrients, vitamins
and minerals. While we know nutrient-dense foods such as wild salmon,
nuts, and leafy greens are great sources of these for overall health, have you
considered what foods might be beneficial to keeping your brain in top
form? Here are some brain-boosting options that may surprise you.»Seaweed
Fans of sushi rejoice! There’s a
growing body of evidence to suggest
that a regular intake of seaweed may
not only be delicious, but could offer
brain benefits too. Seaweed is an
excellent source of folic acid, a key
nutrient for brain health across all
ages, and has also been shown to
improve memory performance.
Seaweed is also a great vegetarian
source of DHA omega-3 fatty acids
found in salmon, so it’s a practical
way to include them in your diet.
There’s also a large body of research
linking DHA to improved memory, so
locating those misplaced car keys
won’t be a problem anymore!»Za’atar
A Middle Eastern mix of thyme,
sumac, sesame seeds, oregano
and salt, with variations including
additional herbs and spices, za’atar has
been used for centuries for a range of
health benefits. Traditionally, as well
being used to treat physical ailments,
za’atar is thought to help increase
cognition and memory. This may be
due to its famed circulation-boosting
powers, and rich mineral content
working to help stimulate neural
activity. Some researchers have
theorised that the phenols and
carvacrol present in thyme and
oregano may increase brain power,and with sesame seeds already well
known as little health rockets, za’atar
would be a fabulous addition to
your pantry.»Pomegranates
Boasting an impressive nutrient
profile, pomegranates are often
considered one of the healthiest
fruits around. The pomegranate
seeds (called arils) are rich in fibre,
minerals, vitamins and bioactive plant
compounds known to have potent
medicinal properties. There have
been various studies on the health
benefits, with evidence showing that
pomegranate may improve memory in
older adults. A US study conducted
over four weeks found that subjects
who were assigned to drink around
one cup of pomegranate juice showed
significant improvement in verbal and
visual memory compared to those who
received a flavour-matched placebo
drink. While the task of cracking open
one of these can involve a bit of effort,
the payoff is well worth it. You can
freeze the seeds for up to a year to
enjoy the bounty even when they’re
not in season.OF NOTE: Dark chocolate is often
cited for increasing short-term
cognition, but be sure to go for small
doses of 70 percent or higher cocoa
content to reap the benefits.TEXT
SIMONE MOMBERG
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