Foods that will boost your memory

By Helen Christos/Columnist

Memory boosting foods can strengthen your memory, short of charging your mental butterflies so you will be able to be less forgetful.

Fresh fruits and their freshly squeezed juices, vegetables and high protein foods as well will definitely improve your memory, according to a group of scientists and nutrition experts.

They suggest avoiding all foods made mainly from refined flour and sugar. These are called junk foods and they don’t give us many vitamins and minerals. They are simply empty foods.

They actually deprive our bodies of health-giving nutrients because they interfere with our metabolism and can make you weak at times, confused and unable to remember names, places, facts or numbers.

Poor circulation, stress, and depression also can harm the memory, but can be corrected by regular exercise to help improve blood flow to the brain along with adequate rest.

Here is a list of a variety of memory-boosting foods.

Apricots are high in vitamins A and C, which improve circulation and also fight infections that can easily lead to confused thinking. Apricots can act against depression and sleeplessness as well.

Bananas are packed with minerals and are high in potassium, which helps prevent fatigue that often results in depression and also foggy thinking. You can use bananas in sandwiches or in milkshakes for a nice variety.

Cabbage helps cleanse impurities from our blood and aids circulation to the brain. In addition, cabbage is rich in B complex vitamins, which prevent memory damaging fatigue. It can be eaten steamed, boiled, or raw if you enjoy it in salads.

Carrots are high in vitamin A. In fact, carrots are one vegetable that, when boiled enough, increases the amount of vitamin A. Carrots prevent the hardening of arteries, a well-known factor in impaired thinking and memory processes. Slice a few in carrots in your salads. They can also be boiled, steamed, and juiced.

Grapes are rich in vitamins A, C and B complex – all necessary for proper thinking. Add them to your cereal or eat them as delicious snacks.

Egg yolks contain lecithin and choline which are both linked to memory improvement. One to three eggs per week can give new life to your memory bank.

Dates provide natural energy and are rich in magnesium, which improves nerve functioning. Eat two to three daily fresh or dried.

Herring is rich in choline and selenium, another nutrient that aids in brain function. Those that like this particular fish can try a few slices in your salad or as an appetizer two to three times per week.

Oranges prevent physical and mental weakness due to their high content of vitamin C. Try an orange daily – whole or juiced!

Seaweed is high in vitamin A. Try it once or twice weekly as an addition to your salad, or put it in your cooking.

Wheat germ contains vitamins B and E. Sprinkle it on cereals, in juice, on salads, or use it as a filler for meat dishes, breads, or muffins. Perhaps we all remember our mothers and grandmothers baking and the entire house filling with delicious aromas. If you are able and enjoy to still make your own fresh goodies, homemade is much, much better.

Whole grain cereals such as barley, millet or buckwheat contain inositol, a natural sugar essential to improved memory function.

A reminder to all of you diet-conscious readers to try to keep healthy, but take the advice of your health professional before beginning and diet plan.

Best of luck!
