Good For The Brain, These 6 Foods Help Improve Memory

Illustrations of foods that help improve memory (Unsplash/Roberta Sorge)

YOGYAKARTA – The brain has a big task in controlling the body. Starting from keeping the heart rate, lung breathing, motor or body movements, to feeling and thinking. Because the task is heavy and memory is often missed, brain vitamins are needed. You can eat a number of foods that play a role in maintaining brain health. In fact, this list of foods helps improve memory and concentration.

1. Fatty fish

Why fish and not poultry or red meat? Fatty fish is rich in omega-3s and about 60 percent of the brain is made of fat. Half of brain fat consists of omega-3 fatty acids, so to build brain and nerve cells, it is important to provide additional vitamins. Fish rich in omega-3s have also shown benefits in warding off Alzheimer's disease. Even a lack of omega-3 intake is associated with impaired learning or concentration levels.

2. Turmeric

The delicious curry made from turmeric is also beneficial for your brain. Turmeric, also known as curcumin, contains active ingredients that block the blood barrier in the brain. That is, when blood circulation in the brain works smoothly, it will be good for brain cells.

Illustration of foods that help improve memory (Unsplash/Julia Top)

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, and fat-soluble vitamins that make up sphingolipids, or a type of fat in brain cells. Several studies in older adults have linked higher vitamin K intake to better memory and cognitive abilities.

4. Dark chocolate

The brain-good compounds, including flavonoids, caffeine, and antioxidants, in dark chocolate and cocoa powder are great for improving memory. The content that is good for the brain, is dark chocolate with 70 percent cocoa. If normal milk chocolate, only contains 10-50 percent cocoa. That is, choose the best intake for the brain by consuming chocolate that is high in cocoa content.

5. Peanuts

Research reported by Healthline, shows that eating nuts can improve heart health. A healthy heart, researchers have linked to having a healthy brain. A study conducted in 2019 in China with participants aged 55 years, showed that regular consumption of nuts is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. A previous study, from 2014, also found that women who ate nuts regularly for several years had sharper memories than those who did not eat nuts.

6. Orange

One of the fruits for the brain, is oranges. In addition to blueberries which can be brain intake, oranges contain vitamin C which plays a role in preventing a decrease in concentration. According to research published in 2019 in the journal Frontiers in Aging Nouroscience, higher blood levels of vitamin C are associated with increased tasks involving focus, memory, attention, and decision speed.

In addition to oranges, you can also eat fruits that are good as brain vitamins such as guava, tomatoes, and strawberries.