Each and every one of us tries to find ways to improve ourselves every day. No matter if that’s by going to the gym to get more fit or reading a new book to try to get a bit more intelligence. No matter what the self-improvement we’re looking for, that’s something that most of us have in common. Now, there’s something else that you can add into your life to achieve that improvement – smart foods!
Smart foods are types of foods that have pretty magical properties that improve everything from your heart health to your intelligence levels. Down below, we’re going to go through the most common smart foods that will create a smarter you. Which ones are you going to add into your diet?
1. Salmon
Salmon is one of those foods that everyone is told to include more of in their diet, but it can be tough for many of us to make that happen. However, if you want a serious intelligence boost, then you’ve got to add salmon into your meals. The reason for this is the incredible amount of omega-3 fatty acids that you’re going to find in any piece of salmon – a nutrient that’s essential for your brain development and performance. When you don’t get enough omega-3’s into your diet, you might feel more fatigued than normal, have poor memory, or even have an increased tendency for mood swings. Plus, your body can’t create these nutrients by itself, so you’re forced to take them in through outside food sources, like salmon or supplements.
If you want to try out salmon, then you should try to go for wild salmon, rather than farmed salmon. Research has shown that this kind of salmon has a higher concentration of omega 3’s than salmon that has been farmed.
2. Avocado
Avocados are one of those foods that have been growing in popularity every single day. However, they’re much more than just a trendy food source – they offer a big improvement to your brain functioning if you add them into your diet. Whenever you eat avocados, studies have shown that the blood and oxygen supply to your brain is increased, which is essential your brain’s proper functioning. They have also been shown to help protect the nerve endings in your brain, which is going to keep your brain working in a healthy way for a longer period of time.
Plus, since avocados are high in calories and other nutrients, you don’t need so much during your meals! You can sprinkle some on a salad or eat them with toast in the morning. Whether you’re looking for pain reduction or memory improvement, this super food has got you covered.
3. Nuts
Next up, we have a broad category that includes everything from almonds to peanuts to all kinds of nuts. Nuts are absolutely packed full of Vitamin E, which has been shown to help your cognitive processes stay sharp as you get older. In addition to this brain boost, Vitamin E has been connected with a stabilization of your mood.
Plus, a handful of nuts every day (the non-salted kind!) are absolutely great for your overall health. They will give you a boost of protein and other nutrients that you might be lacking in your everyday diet.
4. Spinach & Broccoli
The next item on the list is one that you’ve been told to eat more of your whole life and there’s good reason for that! When you add leafy greens like broccoli, spinach, and kale into your diet, you’re going to get a serious boost to your brain and the rest of your body. Dark and leafy greens are absolute powerhouses of nutrients that most of us don’t get enough of in our diets. It’s been shown that spinach can help reduce the cognitive deficiency that comes with the aging process. Plus, when you eat dark greens, you’re going to get a boost to your iron levels, which is directly connected with your energy levels. You’re going to feel super powerful after you get a serving of dark greens! The same goes with broccoli, kale, and any other green you can get your hands on.
5. Blueberries
We’ve all heard that blueberries can help improve your memory. This was probably told to you as a kid, but you might not have believed it! How could a simple blueberry help you remember things better? Well, the truth is that the power of blueberries doesn’t stop there. When you get a serving of blueberries into your diet every day, this can actually help to reverse memory loss. This magical berry is going to give a boost to your short-term memory, help you learn things faster, and even improve your balance. This has been tested with lab-rats, so this is all backed by science.
If you’re not the biggest fan of blueberries, you can always go for different kinds of berries, all of which are going to come packed with the similar nutrients.
6. Red Wine
If you’re a lover of that glass of red wine before bed time, then we’ve got good news for you! It’s actually been shown that red wine has a beneficial effect on our brains. It has been shown in numerous studies that those who drink red wine have a much higher cognitive ability than those who didn’t drink anything at all. Of course, you should watch out and be sure to drink in moderation. When you drink too much, this can actually impair your brain’s functioning in both the short-term and long-term. However, that one glass of red wine at dinner isn’t going to be bad for you – it’s actually great for your brain!
7. Beans
Next to last, we’re going to talk a bit about beans. This food group is one that’s normally overlooked whenever you’re planning out your weekly meals, but they come packed with super nutrients that are great for your brain’s functioning. Not only that, but beans are going to digest slowly in your stomach, making them a great protein if you’re looking to improve your diet. Plus, they’re super economical as their price point is much lower than that of animal-based proteins.
8. Dark Chocolate
This last one is a great idea for those of you who love chocolate. If you add dark chocolate into your diet, researchers have said that this is going to improve your brain functioning! Natural compounds in cocoa beans that go into the production of dark chocolates have been shown to help improve your memory and learning abilities – how great does that sound? Of course, you’re going to want to take in those pieces of dark chocolate in moderation. You could find yourself with quite the belly if you just start eating dark chocolate for dinner. All good things come in moderation, after all!
And there you have it! These are the top super foods that you should definitely add into your diet if you want a boost in your mental health department.
