Monday 16 March 2015

Guest Post: Top 10 Foods to Improve Your Memory by Sara Daniel...

Most of us are probably not going to end up with amnesia so severe our memory of the past ten months is completely wiped out as happened to my heroine Gwen in Loving the Amnesia Bride. However, if you’re anything like me, you walk into a room intending to do something, which had to be important since you went there with a purpose. But now you’re standing inside the doorway with no earthly idea what you walked all the way across the house to do.

Or you’re all ready to run some errands…if you could just find where you left your darn car keys. Really, how far away could they have disappeared in the two hours since you last drove the car??? Clearly, it’s time to address the problem. And the problem is not the keys.

Below are ten foods which have been scientifically proven to deliver health benefits to your brain—improving memory, focus and concentration. So, let’s start eating!
1. Blueberries – All berries are good options, but blueberries are the superhero food choice! Blueberries protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and premature aging.

2. Salmon – Salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain function.

3. Broccoli – Broccoli has nutrients for healthy blood flow, protection against free radicals, and removes heavy metals that can damage the brain.

4. Beans/Legumes – These excellent sources of complex carbs and fiber provide a steady supply of glucose for the brain without the risks of sugar spikes. They are also packed with folate, a B vitamin critical to brain function.

5. Avocados – Although high in fat, the avocado is a monounsaturated fat, which promotes healthy blood flow to the brain. Their antioxidants protect the brain from free radical damage. They also contain potassium and vitamin K, which protect the brain from the risk of stroke.

6. Pomegranates – Either the seeds or the juice will do, protecting the brain from free radicals with their strong antioxidants.

7. Sunflower Seeds – These, along with other seeds, are packed with protein, omega fatty acids, B vitamins, and tryptophan, which the brain uses to boost mood and combat depression.

8. Whole grains – If you’ve ever bought whole grain bread, the advertising on the package probably shouted that whole grains reduce the risk of heart disease. And if your heart’s healthy, that’s good news for your brain.

9. Almonds and other nuts – Nuts are extremely good for the brain and nervous system. High levels of vitamin E protect against dementia and cognitive decline by protecting the brain against free radicals and improving brain power.

10. Chocolate – Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, has strong antioxidants and can improve concentration and focus. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, putting you in a good mood. 

Now, excuse me while I munch on some chocolate-covered almonds and look for my car keys!

  Sara Daniel writes what she loves to read—irresistible romance, from sweet to erotic and everything in between. She battles a serious NASCAR addiction and was once a landlord of two uninvited squirrels. She lives her own happily-ever-after romance with her hero husband, and she gets amnesia at least three times a day because she can never remember where she left her keys!

Learn more about Sara on her website and blog. Subscribe to Sara’s newsletter. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

16 comments:

  1. Great post, Sara! I'm at that stage in life where I need some memory boosters! :)

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  2. Some of my favorites, Sara. Eat a lot of them everyday!

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    1. Can't go wrong with chocolate and almonds, right Lizzie? And I could eat guacamole every day!

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  3. I eat at least 3 of those each day. But with my memory, I should be eating some of each.

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    1. Gold star for you, Susan. But ah, there's always room for improvement, right?

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  4. Crap...I'm still looking for my car keys...

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    1. Here, Sharon, have a chocolate covered almond. You've had too many tipples and shouldn't be driving anyway. LOL!

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  5. Thanks so much for hosting me, Sharon. Loving the Amnesia Bride will be back (with the new title A Bride Worth Fighting For) some time this summer. I'll be chowing down on my memory foods, so I remember to tell you all about it. Or you can just subscribe to my newsletter http://eepurl.com/rx_AL , and then you won't miss a thing.

    Thanks so much for hosting me, Sharon. Whoops, I already said that. Diving back into the chocolate now.

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    1. LOL! Save me some chocolate, Sara! And as always, my blog is your blog, my wenchy friend! Looking forward to your re-release! Cheers!

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  6. I could live on blueberries and choclate. Lovely post Sara.

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  7. Plus you'd be thinner with going to the loo a lot. Good post I once lefty glasses in the freezer

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    1. Ha, ha, Julie. My husband's grandmother once left her dentures in the ice cream tub in her freezer. We still laugh about that. Thanks for stopping by.

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