OUR brains are vitally important, as is doing what we can to prevent memory loss and promote brain health.
Author of Smart Brain Healthy Brain Louise Hallinan says there are many ways you can protect your memory and brain. Here are her top tips:
Drink up
Many people are chronically dehydrated and this causes them to have headaches, foggy brain and poor memory. A dehydrated brain is a shrunken brain that does not function efficiently. Our body is 73% water and our brain is 85% water.
Relax
Thousands of brain cells can die off when we are stressed and produce the stress hormone cortisol. Excess cortisol causes a decline in daily functioning of your brain. It can also rob the brain of glucose. Many scientists believe excessive exposure to stress can actually shrink our brains.
Eat well
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are high in antioxidants and block inflammation. Some studies have even linked drinking blueberry juice with verbal memory performance in those with mild cognitive impairment.
Green vegetables such as spinach kale are also great for learning ability and memory. Rich in vitamins K, A, C, and other vital nutrients, kale also promotes healthy vision and combats inflammation.
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