Top 10 Super Brain Food

“We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.” – Adelle Davis

Wow, 2010 is almost over, time really does fly when you’re having fun. I was blessed in every area of my life this year. Life was fun because I was healthy. To make sure that 2011 is even better, let’s all make sure we make our health a top priority moving forward. Without our health we have nothing.

My journey of pursuing a life of joy and fulfillment is focused on achieving harmony between mind, body, and spirit. Recently I have found myself focusing my attention on my mind and spirit, putting my body on the back burner.

I am now trying to put more energy into regaining that balance because, without a happy and vital body, the mind and spirit are hindered in their growth.

Below I have compiled a top 10 list of foods that can be incorporated into a healthy diet that will have a nourishing effect on your body and mind.

Please leave your comments below with any other foods you have experienced having a positive effect on your body and mind. Throw in a good recipe if you know one too! 🙂

Top Brain Foods

1. Cucumber: Stay cool as a cucumber 🙂 cucumbers are a good source of the mineral silica, a component of connective tissue found in the skin. The high water and mineral content of cucumber is largely responsible for its therapeutic cleansing and hydrating effects. Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems

Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, C, K, beta carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silica, and zinc.

2. Celery: With its rich mineral content, celery helps to normalize the body’s alkalic balance. When your body is in an acidic state caused by stress or eating harmful foods it can lead to numerous health problems if you don’t change your habits. Celery contains vitamin C and several other active compounds such as phalides, which may help lower cholesterol, and coumarins, which may be useful in cancer prevention.

Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, C, E, K biotin, folate, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iodine, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc, and fiber.

3. Eggplant: Eggplant was first cultivated in China in the 5th century B.C. The main health benefit is that it contains nasunin, an anthocyanin found to protect fats in brain cells from free radical damage, which may help with the aging process. Also contains chlorogenic acid. Nasunin is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage.

Nutrients: B3, C, K, Biotin, Folate, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc, Fiber.

4. Lettuce: I love eating a great big salad, and always make sure to have a good serving of Romaine lettuce. Eating a good amount of lettuce will cleanse the blood, relax the nerves, and eliminate excess fluid. Contains a natural sedative called lactucarium, which relaxes the nervous system and induces sleep, it has also been reported to promote a mild sensation of euphoria. Another benefit of eating lettuce comes from the chlorophyll that helps detoxify the blood and liver.

Nutrients: B1, B3, B5, C, E, K, Beta Carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silica, zinc.

5. Avocado: One of my favorite snacks is slicing up an avocado in half sprinkling a little salt on it, and just dig in with a spoon. Avocados are an excellent source of vitamin E and healthy monounsaturated fats, that help nourish the skin. Contains lecithin which plays a role in improving brain function. Avocados are a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

Nutrients: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K, Beta Carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, fiber, monosaturated facts.

6. Apples: You know the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” There is a few good reasons why that’s true. Studies have shown that Apples may reduce the risk of several common cancers as well as protect the brain from damage that causes conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Nutrients: Vitamins B3, C, E, K, Beta Carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, fiber, and carbohydrates.

7. Bananas: Are also high in tryptophan an amino acid that the body converts into serotonin a brain chemical known to improve mood and encourage relaxation. Many people found tryptophan to be a safe and reasonably effective sleep aid, this is most likely due to an increase in the brain’s level of serotonin.

Nutrients: B2, C, Beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, fiber, carbohydrate.

8. Goji Berry: Goji Berries traces its history back 6,000 years to herbalists in China, Tibet, and India. Goji Berries Possesses several phyto chemicals including Zeaxanthin which protects against eye disease by absorbing blue light, solavetivone acts as an anti-bacterial agent. Also provides special polysaccharides which have anti-oxidant properties and entrance immunity. Goji Berries are also believed to improve sexual function and protect the liver.

Nutrients: B1, B2, B6, C, E, Beta Carotene, folate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, fiber, protein, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

9. Pomegranates: Are abundant in antioxidants called punicalagins, which have been shown to prevent several forms of cancer by protecting the body against free radicals. Pomegranate juice also contains more polyphenol antioxidants than red wine.

Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, B6, C, E, Beta Carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, and fiber.

10. Blueberries: blueberries are bursting with antioxidants, which help in dealing with free radicals found in your body. There have also been studies conducted on rats that show that a blueberry-rich diet improves memory and motor skills.

My Favorite fruit smoothie recipe: One of my favorite breakfasts is to take Vitamin Water and blend it with frozen bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. It gives me a good start to the day by providing a sustained energy boost.

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