Brain food: How to pick the right diet for your brainTHURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 08:31 AM
What people eat and drink has a major impact on their health, whether they are young or old. For this reason, individuals need to be careful of what they put inside their body. After all, not only can the food and beverages people consume affect the health of their heart, liver and other vital organs, but their cognitive abilities as well.
If people believe that what they eat is keeping their brain from reaching its full potential, it may be time for them to take an
IQ test. Those who are not satisfied with the results of this assessment can make dietary changes that may lead to cognitive improvements. Before individuals put together a new eating plan, they may want to consider some of these results from past studies:
Mediterranean diet keeps brains healthy
The Mediterranean diet has a reputation for being one of the healthier eating routines people can choose. According to the Mayo Clinic, this diet places a focus on
eating fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods, and uses olive oil and canola oil instead of butter. Past research has linked the Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of heart disease, but what about its effects on the brain? As it turns out, the Mediterranean diet's impact on the brain can be quite strong, especially among older individuals. In a recent study, researchers from the University of Navarra in Spain worked with 522 people between the ages of 55 and 80 who were at high risk of developing certain diseases and conditions. While trying to learn what effects the Mediterranean diet has on these study participants, the researchers noticed
cognitive differences between subjects who were placed on this diet and those who were not. After six and a half years, individuals who followed a Mediterranean diet tended to have higher cognitive test scores than those who were put on a low-fat diet. While the group researchers worked with was small, they believe their findings show how effective a healthy diet can be at protecting the aging brain.
Omega-3 fatty acids can give children a strong start
While the Mediterranean diet may help adults stay sharp as they get older, children could benefit from a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Many foods contain Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish like salmon and sardines, and nuts like almonds and walnuts. Parents who want their children to grow up to be brainy adults may want to familiarize themselves with these foods, as exposure to them could influence how well kids learn growing up. A report that was recently published in the Association for Psychological Science's journal, "Perspectives on Psychological Science" states that
Omega-3 fatty acids can have a positive effect on children's intelligence. When pregnant women and newborns were put on diets rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, kids' IQ typically increased by more than 3.5 points. This is due to the fact that these fatty acids foster nerve cell development.
Foods that may help
If individuals are neither newborns nor senior citizens, but are still concerned about their IQ dropping over time, they can try eating foods that are known to be good for the brain. According to The Daily Mail,
starting the day off with a bowl of cereal may help, as some brands are fortified with folic acid, which could prevent individuals from developing Alzheimer's disease. Liver may not be for every eater, but it certainly contains a lot of iron, which can protect against a drop in IQ. Ultimately, if people are unhappy with their IQ test results, it is never too late to revamp their diet and try for a better score a few years later.
