Try These Foods To Boost Cognitive Function As You Age

Ben BA(Hons), PGCert

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Deterioration

Our physical body is not the only part of us that ages and deteriorates over time.

We have to consider what we cannot see, our mental health. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean mental health issues that are so stigmatized but just being able to utilize our memory function properly.

There are degenerative diseases that affect our cognitive function such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. These two diseases are more common in people who are elderly and an example of how our cognitive health is affected by age.

With an ageing population becoming more widespread as people live longer and healthier lives, not to mention healthcare improvements, many scientists are involved in the quest to understand more about cognitive deterioration and how it could be combated.

In particular, a team of researchers from the University of Toronto believe that the use of action and consequence in order to remember objects can assist with more senior people to prevent cognitive decline.

However, it isn’t just tests and actions that can reduce cognitive decline or bolster cognitive health.

As with your physical performance and health, a lot is to do with diet and nutrition.

A lot is also down to how active you are. Diet and exercise work hand in hand to improve physical and mental health.

What we want to do is offer a number of foods that can help boost cognitive function, why not try a bit of brain exercise too for a double whammy, cross words and mental arithmetic can help you become extra sharp.

Nutrition

1. Peppermint Tea

It has been stated that peppermint tea is able to improve working memory and long term memory in adults.

The study which was compared peppermint with chamomile tea showed that the participants who drank peppermint tea benefited from improvements in their long term and working memory that was of a significant difference compared to those who drank the chamomile.

Effects of improved alertness was also found by those researchers from the University of Northumbria, UK.

2. Green Tea

Green tea not only seems to have a number of properties that can affect the production of brain cells but can also help with weight control.

The effects on brain cells can help with spatial and learning and improvements in memory.

The key component of Green Tea is a chemical known as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3 gallate) which can impact the generation of neuron cells which can combat age related diseases which affect cognitive performance.

3. Blueberries

Recent research by the University of Florida have confirmed many of the previous studies which highlighted the benefits of the super food, Blueberries.

However, not only can these little berries packed full with Vitamin C and antioxidants help with heart health and diabetes but also help improve visual, cognitive health and ageing.

4. Chocolate and Red Wine

Latest research from Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany could well be music to many people’s ears.

The flavanoids found in dark chocolate and the reservatrol found in both dark chocolate and red wine have been found to improve memory performance and keep your mental performance as sharp as your wit.

5. Milk

If you are like me, you will not like milk. I don’t mind it mixed in with something such as cereal or coffee, but milk on it’s own is just not my preference.

However, studies by the University of Kansas, USA have discovered a connection the consumption of milk and a naturally occurring antioxidant known as glutathione which is found in the brain in more senior adults.

It seems that a higher amount of milk consumed can improve the levels of glutathione which in turn improves brain function.

What is known about glutathione is that is can prevent oxidative stress which is associated with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

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6. Consuming a Mediterranean Diet

Research has found that by eating a diet rich in leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, nuts, cereals and olive oil as a source of fat can reduce the chances of developing Alzheimers disease and actually improve cognitive function.

This diet is commonly known as the Mediterranean diet.