The Central Processing Unit or CPU is known as the brain of the computer. Computers would not run without them. Your brain is the CPU of your body and needs good nourishment to run and operate the body normally.
It’s funny, but we do not always consider our brain function throughout each day of our lives. We take it for granted because it always operates for us the way we need it to. We do so many unconscious things, and we have the brain to thank for that. Picture this: each day we wake up by slapping the alarm clock (well, I may be the only one who does that), then we open our eyes, we move our bodies to the edge of the bed, roll ourselves up, plant our feet on the floor, walk toward the bathroom and so on and so on. Could you imagine not being able to do these things? Neither can I. The human brain and body are miraculous! It’s a part of everyday activity, and it would not be possible for the body to operate if it weren’t for the brain (and God, of course!).
So, while we engage in activity throughout each day, we have to consider the old phrase, “You are what you eat.” It’s true – we are what we eat! The importance of good nutrition is key in good healthy brain function as well as body function. I recently read an article in the AARP bulletin (no, I’m not old enough to be a member of AARP, but I digress). In the bulletin, there was an article about brain health, and I was drawn to it because it gave some good information that I would like to share with you about foods to eat that are good for the brain.
Now, since the brain is responsible for not only thinking, reasoning, and emotions, it is also responsible for regulating your body’s temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. Of course you already know this, but I wanted to add this in as a reminder because, again, these are the things that we take for granted and do not think about. The brain takes care of these functions automatically every day, which is absolutely amazing to me.
Concerning the foods to eat, because I’m a self-proclaimed foodie, each time I read an article that mentions food I get happy! Different foods have different purposes. The foods that are helpful in keeping away diseases like Alzheimer’s are olive oil, green tea, and leafy greens like spinach and kale. These are foods that contain antioxidants and keep inflammation down. Also, you want to eat foods that increase blood flow like tomatoes, avocados, and beets.
Foods that fight plaques that kill your brain neurons (neurons are nerve cells that transmit messages throughout the body) are nuts and pomegranates. Finally, we are getting to the really good stuff. Foods that help support proteins that create new neurons are blueberries, fish, grapes, coffee, and who would want to leave out dark chocolate! The dark chocolate makes me happy! I specifically mentioned these foods since we are talking about brain health.
Essentially, you want to have a diet that is balanced to include all of the good foods that I mentioned. The internet is chock full of recipes that can be made with these foods just in case you like to get adventurous in meal preparation like I do. Since we are in the fall season, I am going to take out my slow cooker and look for good hearty recipes to cook that include some of these foods. Soups and stews are so good for this time of year!
I hope you found this posting to be helpful. Thank you for reading it and allowing me to share health and wellness information with you weekly.
Live, laugh, love, and pray.
God Bless You with Good Health and Wellness,
Antoinette
Antoinette Shar’ron Johnson
“Empowering, inspiring, motivating, and uplifting your mind, body, and soul!”
Sources:
Paturel, Amy, Eat Your Way to Brain Health: This is your brain on broccoli, AARP Bulletin, October 2015
Google Image Source: http://www.rdiconnect.com