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Are you worried about cognitive decline?
You should be, but first, pour yourself a glass of wine and get some cheese to snack on. You don’t need much—a little bit of each will suffice.
Have you got your snacks?
Great!
Now, read on to find out how these two foods can boost your brain function.
How many functions have you attended that served wine along with cheese boards as complimentary food? Probably several. Or maybe you have been to a local vineyard where you purchased a cheese and wine pairing experience.
These types of events and experiences are quite popular and for good reason: They don’t just taste great, but they also have mental benefits.
Iowa State University released a research report on the benefits of a healthy diet late last year. Both wine and cheese take center stage in the report.
You should thank those cheese sticks you are eating currently. They will protect your brain from mental decline as you grow older—more so than any other food.
What’s even better is that cheese is beneficial even if you are already in your senior years. If you don’t include cheese in your regular diet, then now is the time to start doing it.
Cheese contains many fatty acids and omega-3 which is essential for proper brain function. Glutathione, an antioxidant, is prevalent in many kinds of cheese. It is one of the antioxidants that help prevent neurodegeneration, especially in later years.
So which cheeses are the healthiest options for your brain and body?
Choose cheeses that have reduced sodium and fat content, and stay away from processed cheese.
Enhancing cognitive function is probably one of the things that every person desires. Who doesn’t want a healthy mind and the ability to think clearly? We sure do!
How does your wine taste? Good? Awesome!
It might taste great and help you to relax, but wine is also advantageous for your brain. Red wine is the best choice, although all wines will improve your mental acuity.
Wine contains nutrients and antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the brain and wash away toxins that are found in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). These toxins include the proteins responsible for damaging brain cells in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
When the brain has less inflammation and is clear of toxins, you can think better. Blood will circulate through your gray matter, and the connection between brain cells will become stronger.
You don’t need to drink wine excessively to obtain these benefits. A single serving is sufficient.
Although wine can benefit your cognitive prowess, you don’t have to consume it. If you have overcome addiction, currently struggle with it, or have an addictive personality, then it may be best to refrain from alcohol.
You have to do what is best for you. There are other ways to prevent cognitive decline that you can use instead of drinking alcohol.
Eating food and drinking fluids are part of your daily activities. You could have a routine with strict mealtimes and a weekly meal plan, or you might throw something together at the last minute. Either way, eating occurs every day which makes it a habit.
Habits are essential for your brain to thrive. Your brain is full of neural networks—cells that communicate with each other—and these pathways strengthen when they are exposed to the same messages repetitively.
This is true for everything in your life regardless of whether it comes to food or other activities. You want your brain to be the best it can be, so start adding foods to your diet that will improve your cognitive function.
Make it a habit to plan your meals and fill them with nutritious food choices. Add the bottle of wine and pack of cheese to this plan for each week. After a while, this habit will pay off, and you will experience better thinking.
The meals and refreshments you choose become part of who you are—your eating habits become ingrained in your mind.
If you prioritize healthy eating, then your mind will be healthy too. If you choose junk food, your mind will suffer.
Choosing nutritious foods repetitively allows your brain to establish a strong connection to healthy eating. This becomes an excellent habit as you will pick up a glass of wine or piece of cheese much more easily than selecting a sugar-filled confectionary.
Do you want to know more about neuroscience and how it affects your daily life?
In the Winning the Game of Weight Loss training, we share the tools you need to conquer your brain so that you can be healthier for the rest of your life. Access it today!
Everyone knows that a healthy diet is essential to keep the pounds off, but you also need it if you want to improve the health of your brain.
We know nobody likes to be told they should make healthier food choices, so let’s take a different approach. You might not need to lose weight, but you do need a healthy brain—use that as your motivation!
The brain needs nutrients just like your body does. Wine and cheese are a good start, but you have to feed your brain good things if you want it to perform well.
A large percentage of your brain is made up of fat, so it requires omega-3 fatty acids to maintain its health. This includes foods like fatty fish, avocado, and chia seeds.
The brain is full of chemicals and hormones, so you have to eat foods that balance out these substances. Tryptophan produces melatonin that can help you to sleep, and this is found in foods like walnuts and tart cherries. When you sleep properly, you can think better, so you should be consuming this nutrient in sufficient amounts.
Nutrients like potassium, iron, magnesium, folate, zinc, selenium, antioxidants, and vitamins A, B, and C all help to improve your mental prowess. Choose foods that are rich in these substances.
Here are some of the foods you can include in your life. Not only are they good for your brain but they will also boost the nutrient levels in other parts of your body.
Fatty fish contain lots of essential fatty acids. They improve memory and your general mood. Dark chocolate has the same effects, but consume it in moderation.
Blueberries are full of antioxidants, so eat a handful each day to reduce the effects of aging on the brain. Green tea and oranges are other options if you don’t like blueberries.
Turmeric is a spice that you can add to food and beverages. It reduces inflammation and increases antioxidants in the brain. Broccoli also has a bunch of nutrients that share these properties.
Learning about foods that benefit your brain isn’t good enough. You have to take action and make healthy eating a part of your life—it has to become a habit. To help you get there, we have created some tips that you can use to get there faster.
Vegetables, especially green leafy ones, contain tons of nutrients. Eat at least a single serving of leafy veggies once per day.
Top this up with other types of vegetables. It’s ideal to add an extra serving per day, but eating some every second day will work, too.
Store-bought trail mix frequently contains loads of sugar and salt, so make your own instead. Mix some raw or roasted mixed nuts, a variety of seeds, raisins, and coconut flakes together.
Trail mix is a calorie-rich food—you shouldn’t eat too much. Add a handful of trail mix as a snack every second day or a maximum of five times per week.
If you enjoy a sugary treat between meals, then swap it out for a small bowl of berries. We already discussed the benefits of blueberries, but all types of berries will improve cognitive function. Eat a minimum of two servings each week for maximum benefit.
Protein is necessary for brain health, but you need to choose where you sort it from carefully. Limit red meat to a maximum of four times per week. The study on wine and cheese showed that lamb is a great choice for the mind.
Try to go without meat at least one day per week. Swap out your meat with lentils, beans, or soybeans.
Olive oil is a great choice to use in cooking instead of margarine and butter that doesn’t benefit the brain. Choose a brand in a dark-colored bottle with a label stating, “extra virgin.”
When you eat healthy foods, your brain and body will thank you. Your mind is inextricably linked to your physical health. If your mind is healthy, your body will be, too.
In the Winning the Game of Weight Loss training, we share the tools you need to conquer your brain so that you can be healthier for the rest of your life. Access it today!
