Foods For Brain Health

Foods that are good for your brain and foods aren't

Brain health is so important because the brain is the control center for your body and it’s responsible for essential everyday functions. Our brain enables us to think, learn, problem solve, reason, communicate and so much more. Having a healthy brain is also important for good memory function. It allows us to us to regulate our emotions and manage stress, anxiety, depression and more. Working on brain health now can help prevent an unhealthy brain down the road. There are some foods that can contribute to a healthy brain and foods that can do your brain a disservice.

Foods for a healthy brain:

-Lion's Mane mushroom: protects the brain and nerves, supports memory, concentration and brain function, and reduces inflammation. It's considered the "brain mushroom," as studies show that it stimulates the creation of nerve growth factor which keeps neurons ticking away upstairs and may even help those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. I personally drink Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee with lions mane & chaga in it everyday. It’s not a coffee alternative but real coffee with the addition of lions mane. You can also take lions mane in supplement form as well. Make sure that it’s organic! Order Lions Mane coffee with code: KRYSTENSKITCHEN

-Avocados: contains folate, vitamin k and healthy fats that support brain health and brain function. Put it in smoothies, add to dressing, eat with a spooooon! Use a silicone ice cube tray to freeze mashed avocado & pop into smoothie to add creaminess and healthy fats to keep you satiated! Make chocolate pudding with it or even guacamole.

-Walnuts: they have a significantly high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. DHA has been shown to protect brain health & improve cognitive performance. Consider adding organic walnut oil or eating a few raw organic walnuts each day. Toss them in your salad or sprinkle them over some sautéed Brussels.

Foods that can harm your brain:

-Processed foods: heavily processed foods that are high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients and additives can cause inflammation in the body and the brain. They can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

-Sugary foods and drinks: consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels and then crashes. It can affect cognitive function.

-Fried Foods: Foods that are deep-fried or heavily processed can contain unhealthy fats and additives that might negatively affect brain health over time. Most oils used for frying are seed oils.

-Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can damage brain cells. Moderate to heavy drinkers have a 57% higher risk of dementia. Read more about alcohol and the brain here