9+ Foods to Improve Brain Health and Memory

By: The Dr. Perlmutter Team As I’ve stated before, one of the most fascinating things about the human brain is that neuroplasticity, the process by which the brain undergoes changes in response to internal and external stimuli, affords us a great deal of control in determining the overall health of our brain. While there are many lifestyle changes one can make to improve overall brain health, studies have shown that dietary factors can have a significant impact. Choosing which foods you use to fuel your body goes far beyond counting calories; the macronutrients—fats, proteins, and carbohydrates—you emphasize in shaping your diet can have major repercussions for brain health. There is evidence to suggest that individuals who consume a diet high in carbohydrates have an 89% increased risk of developing dementia, while people who consume a diet high in healthy fats actually reduce their risk by 44%. Ensuring that the foods you consume are high in antioxidants, rich in healthy fats, low in carbohydrates, and powerfully anti-inflammatory can go a long way towards optimizing brain health and boosting memory and cognition. Foods to Improve Brain Health and Memory Generally speaking, I recommend a diet that is higher in fat and fiber, low in carbs, and rich in gut-healthy probiotics. To that end, please read on for some suggestions on specific foods around which to build a brain-boosting diet! Plant-Based Oils Oils derived from plants, specifically extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil, have massive brain-boosting potential. Olive oil is rich in polyphenols, potent antioxidants that have been shown to reverse cognitive deficits brought on by both the natural process of aging and disease. Coconut oil also contains polyphenols and goes one step further by directly improving the ability of neurons and brain cell membranes to perform their cellular functions. Careful […]

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