Supporting Cognitive Health Through Nutrition: Top Foods For More Mental Clarity
Believe it or not, thinking is one of the most strenuous things your body can do. Have you ever completed a long drive and wondered why you feel so exhausted? It's because the brain has been eating through thousands of calories simply to keep you awake and alert! Yes, the brain is the body's hungriest organ, and providing it with everything that it needs through your diet should be at the top of your mind—pun, perhaps, intended.
To read about the best ways to keep your brain sharp, visit https://valleant.com/what-are-the-best-foods-for-a-healthy-mind-and-why-2/
As a matter of fact, the brain uses up to 20% of all the calories you consume. That may sound hard to believe, but it's true! And not only that, but a huge percentage of the nutrients you consume also go toward making the brain—a hopelessly complicated machine in its own right—run smoothly.
So, how can you, the person responsible for keeping your brain in good working order, support your own mental health through nutrition? The health experts at Valleant have answers!
In their latest guide, Valleant recommends a wide range of foods that have been shown to support brain health and cognitive function, even diving in to some of the latest research pertaining to the connection between the body and the mind. Here's what they had to say:
Complex Nutrients Are Essential
Supporting brain health, as Valleant explains, requires more than providing the brain with simple fuel. The brain has complex needs, and requires a constant supply of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to effectively synthesize neurotransmitters necessary for the regulation of mood and memory.
With that in mind, Valleant begins by recommending foods rich in healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, both of which provide the brain with long-lasting energy, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids.
Lean proteins are also at the top of their list, including:
- fish
- eggs
- dairy products
- nuts
- seeds
And more!
Detox-ify The Mind
Valleant goes on to explain the benefits of antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries and leafy greens, when supporting cognitive health. The brain, which uses 15% of the body’s vascular output, is also vulnerable to the accumulation of toxins—a damaging process which antioxidants may help to counteract.
Gut Check
Later in the guide, Valleant discusses the recently discovered connection between gut health and brain health, particularly when it comes to the complex gut microbiome. In many health circles, fermented foods such as kefir and kombucha have gained popularity as a natural source of probiotics, which may help with focus and memory when consumed regularly.
Nutrition Alone Is Not Enough
The guide heavily emphasizes, however, that in spite of all these recommendations, no nutrition plan can be fully effective without exercise and hydration. The latter can be especially important for brain health, Valleant says, given that the brain is around 75% water by weight, and can be severely impacted by even minor levels of dehydration.
Check Out The Guide For More
In the full guide, Valleant goes on to answer common questions about the relationship between brain health and nutrition. Their detailed guidance can be found at the link below, along with a wide range of other related information compiled by their team of health education professionals.
Read more from Valleant today at https://valleant.com/what-are-the-best-foods-for-a-healthy-mind-and-why-2/
Valleant City: Austin Address: 11320 North FM 620 Website: https://valleant.com
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