Life Positive — January 2018

Naini Setalvad

is a nutritionist,

specialising in lifestyle

and immunity disorders.

Her foundation, Health

For You, throws light on

healthy food habits

How often is it that you find yourself entering a
room and then forgetting the reason for coming
there in the first place? Do you tend to forget
important tasks and then wake up in the middle
of the night when you suddenly remember them?
These are signs that your brain has gone into a
state of inactiveness and needs to be rebooted.
Your brain is the control centre of your body.
It keeps your lungs breathing, heart beating,
and allows you to move, feel, and think. Your
memories and thoughts are stored in your brain.
If your brain is not working at optimum levels,
your short-term and long-term memories, both
can fade, rendering you forgetful. Lack of sleep
exercise, and deteriorating environmental
conditions too play a role in slowing your brain
function. A brain which doesn’t work smoothly
is a playground for degenerative diseases like
Alzheimer’s, dementia, anxiety, and depression.
So how do we ensure that our brain is always
functioning optimally and our grey matter is
healthy and witty? Food is your answer. The best
menu for boosting your memory and cognitive
function should include these brain foods:

Cow’s ghee: Also known as liquid gold, cow’s
ghee is a super food for the brain. It serves as a
lubricant for the faster functioning of the brain.
Cow’s ghee is said to promote memory and
intelligence according to Charaka, the author of
the most influential texts of ayurveda, thanks to
its high Vitamin A content.

Banana: An excellent source of potassium and
magnesium, bananas are great intelligence
boosters. The potassium helps deliver oxygen
to the brain and magnesium promotes proper
electrical activity between nerve cells in the
brain. Both of these nutrients aid normal
cognitive function and help keep the brain sharp.
Bananas may also help in preventing age-related
cognitive declines in memory.

Strawberry: Everyone’s favourite red-

coloured berries are brilliant brain boosters.

Strawberries are a rich source of anthocyanins

and other flavonoids which improve memory.

Include these in your diet when they are in

season.

Walnut: This nut has the shape of the human

brain and hugely benefits it too. The high levels

of Omega 3, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals

found in walnuts help improve mental alertness.

Consume a handful of walnuts daily.

Turmeric: Some people refer to turmeric as

powdered gold because of the amazing health

benefits of this ancient spice. Research has

proven that curcumin, which is the active

component of turmeric, can directly enter the

brain and benefit the brain cells. It also boosts

a growth hormone that helps brain cells grow.

Turmeric prevents the onset of Alzheimer’s as

the brain’s intake of oxygen improves.

Cocoa: Cocoa powder is a great mood booster

and improves blood flow to the brain. Packed

with flavonoids and antioxidants, which serve

as brain boosting compounds, cocoa assists a

great deal in learning and improving memory.

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