Unleash the Power of Positive Thinking by Eating Healthy

Virginia Woolf once wrote, “one cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one hasn’t dined well.” The foods we eat directly affect how our brain performs. By eating the right kinds of food, IQ is boosted and mood is improved. The individual is also more emotionally stable and the memory is more sharp and the mind young.

By giving the brain the right nutrients, one can think faster and have better memories. This will make you more balanced and coordinated especially at times when full concentration is required.

Protein

Protein can be found in fish, milk, cheese and meat. It provides the body the building blocks it needs to regenerate the tissues, internal organs (heart and brain) and nerves. Proteins are also used to make the neurotransmitters improve the mental performance of the brain.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are responsible for enhancing the absorption of the tryptophan which is turned into serotonin when it enters the brain. About thirty minutes after eating food containing carbohydrates, the individual is more relaxed and calm. This effect lasts for several hours. Food containing carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables and grain. Digesting carbohydrates result in the breaking down of this nutrient into glucose which becomes sugar. This is the brain’s primary energy source. If the glucose level fluctuates too much, then the individual experiences dizziness, mental confusion, loss of consciousness and even severe convulsions.

Fat

The brain is composed of 60% fat because brain cells contain myelin sheath which is 75% fat. Fats are messengers because they regulate the blood circulation and immune system. This affects the mood and the memory of the individual. Omega 3 fatty acids are important to the over-all brain performance. Lack of fat leads to poor memory, depression, learning disabilities, ADD, low IQ, dyslexia and other mental disorders. Salmon, trout, herring, sardines, tuna, anchovies and mackerel contain fats.

Vitamins and Minerals

These are important for the functioning and growth of the brain. B Vitamins are important because they have a vital role in the production of energy. Vitamins A, C, as well as E are antioxidants and preserve the memory for older people. Minerals are important to the brain’s function and performance. Manganese and magnesium are required by the brain energy. Potassium, Calcium and Sodium are crucial in the brain’s thinking process because these facilitate the relaying of messages from the sensory nerves to the brain.

Water

The blood is composed of 83% water. It also acts as the messenger of the nutrients into the brain. It eliminates the toxins in the body as well. The brain has to be fully hydrated so that the circulation of the blood goes well. Water is important for mental alertness. Research shows that people are partially dehydrated because they do not take in the required dosage of water on a daily basis which is 8 glasses. If that is the case, the brain works below its full potential and capacity.

Read more at Nutrition for Athletes - 6 Brain Food Tips