Just like eating the right diet can prevent heart disease, high blood pressure or cancer, certain foods can boost the brain power. Giving every brain cells a steady supply of the right nutrients helps keep them alive and working properly.

Here are 10 foods that can boost brain power:

1. Dark green leafy vegetables

They contain lots of antioxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin K and folate that can help lower homocysteine level in the blood. Homocysteine cause inflammation in the brain cell and eventual death. The folate in dark green vegetables break down homocysteine in the blood and prevent brain cell death.

2. Berries

Berries contain an abundance of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that prevent inflammation in the brain cells and enhance communication between brain cells. This communication is important for learning and processing of information.

3. Apples

Apples are rich in quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radical damage to the outer lining of brain cells.

4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Amyloid B-derived diffusible ligands ( ADDL) is an Alzheimer’s inducing protein. It attached itself to the brain cells, preventing the communication flow with other brain cells. This leads to eventual memory loss and cell death. Oleocanthal in olive oil disables ADDL, hence protecting the brain cells.

5. Salmon

Salmon fish has the richest source of Vitamin D and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), one of the essential fatty acids in Omega-3. DHA is an important component of the brain cell membrane. It is also anti-inflammatory that protects the brain cells. Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of memory loss by 40%.

6. Amino acids

Tryptophan and tyrosine are two amino acids that are essential precursors to neurotransmitters. Tryptophan gives rise to serotonin, which helps to relax the brain and put you in a good mood. Tyrosine gives rise to dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which put the brain cell on alert and focus.

Food rich in tryptophan are poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts and seeds and legumes. Food rich in tyrosine are soy products, avocado and almonds.

7. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, which is an antioxidant that prevents the formation of the beta-amyloid protein that leads to Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric also fights inflammation and lowers cholesterol.

8. Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains proanthocyanidin, which is also an antioxidant that helps inactivate the beta-amyloid protein, thereby preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

9. Chocolate and coffee

Both chocolate and coffee contain cocoa and caffeine, which are antioxidants with protective effects against free radicals damage to brain cells and also improve blood flow. One-third of an ounce of chocolate a day protects against memory loss and 3-4 cups of coffee a day reduce the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 65%.

10. Carbohydrate/protein ratio

The ratio of carbohydrate and protein intake in a meal can affect the calmness or alertness of the brain. If you want to have a calm mind and sound sleep at night, a meal of high carbohydrate versus protein ratio will contain tryptophan, which is the precursor for Serotonin that calms the brain.

If you want to stay alert after lunch, then a meal high in protein versus carbohydrate ratio will contain tyrosine which is the precursor of epinephrine, norepinephrine that help the brain to be alert and focus.

Although, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, eating the right food can play a role in boosting the brain functions and protecting it.

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