Healthy Foods for the Human Brain

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By Christe Bruderlin-Nelson
eHow Contributing Writer

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Our food choices affect our brain in many ways: our moods, how well we sleep, our thought processes, our memory, our ability to process information and more. Here's a list of some great brain foods and the brain-boosting nutrients they contain.

Walnuts

Walnuts contain omega-3 (a major brain booster) and omega-6 fatty acids, plus vitamins E and B6, which can help boost serotonin levels.

Other Nuts

Other nuts like cashews (magnesium), almonds (phenylalanine), pecans (choline) and peanuts (choline) are also beneficial for the brain.

Berries

Deep-colored berries--blueberries, strawberries and blackberries--can help with memory and cognitive function while decreasing oxidative stress and reducing the effects of age-related neurological decline.

Seeds

Many seeds contain brain-boosting nutrients, including sunflower seeds (tryptophan and thiamine) and pumpkin seeks (vitamins A and E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and zinc) which can improve brainpower.

Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are brain powerhouses, and some terrific choices include tomatoes (lycopene), red cabbage (polyphenols), eggplant (nasunin), avocados (monounsaturated fats), spinach and broccoli (both with high phytonutrient contents).

Fun Fact

An afternoon snack of green tea and dark chocolate can also improve brain function, as dark chocolate contains natural stimulants, antioxidants and flavonoids, while green tea contains catechines and polyphenols.