The human body is an insanely brilliant machine. It can heal almost any wound, fight every disease, and even adapt to almost every uncomfortable situation. That being said, behind all these amazing aspects of the body, there is a primary driver at play...
It is perhaps the most misunderstood organ in the body, yet the most spectacular.
I am, of course, talking about the brain! While we certainly understand more about the brain than ever, this extremely clever organ still baffles scientists to this day. That being said, while this may be the case, we do know that for a healthy lifestyle, the brain must be fed well! So, without further ado, let's look at some fantastic foods and nutrients for your brain.
L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid most commonly sourced from natural/organic products. Since this amino acid is not found in a wide array of foods/drinks, many are completely unaware of the benefits this amino acid can bring.
In terms of benefits, L-theanine has profound effects on anxiety and stress. More specifically, this amino acid has been recognized as an anxiety aid in small doses due to its deeply relaxing effects. These extremely calming effects can be chalked down to an increase in dopamine and also a stimulatory effect on the chemical GABA.
Foods/drinks containing L-theanine
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Coffee
- Oolong tea
- Guarana
- Cola
- Matcha powder
As you can now see, L-theanine provides some very beneficial effects on the brain. (Something to note), the effects of L-theanine are greatly enhanced when taken with caffeine. The combination of the two has been said to have powerful effects on brain performance.
Omega-3 fatty acids
When referring to L-theanine, it is certainly worth mentioning that while this amino acid has profoundly wonderful effects on the brain, it is not needed, not in the way that omega 3 is anyway...
Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats. They not only reduce bodily inflammation but are critical in the development of growing humans and heart health. In terms of brain health, omega 3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining normal brain function and help to improve cognitive ability when taken regularly.
Let's take a look at some foods containing omega 3 fatty acids.
Foods/drinks containing omega 3 fatty acids
- Plant oils
- Nuts
- Oily fish
- Sprouts
- Flaxseed
- Cod liver oil
After a little read through this section, it will now be clear that omega 3 fatty acids and their benefits on the brain cannot be ignored. Do keep in mind, if you struggle to consume the foods listed above, the cod liver oil supplement can help you to get enough of these fatty acids.
Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid or (vitamin B-5) is a water-soluble vitamin. This essential nutrient is required by the body for many roles such as energy metabolism, fat metabolism, protein metabolism and of course, brain health.
When talking about brain health, pantothenic acid is essential. It is needed for the maintenance of melatonin - (the sleep hormone) and also the production of acetylcholine, another chemical needed for deep sleep. Commonly found in the Canadian diet, pantothenic acid is the most easily attainable nutrient on this list. Let's take a closer look.
Foods/drinks containing pantothenic acid
- Whole grains
- Vegetables/leafy greens
- Eggs and milk
- Beef and poultry
- Peanuts
- Mushrooms
As you now know, pantothenic acid or (vitamin B-5) is extremely important for the brain. Very indirectly it might seem as most of its beneficial effects come in the way of improving sleep.
In terms of overall brain health, the nutrients provided on this list are an absolute must! Each nutrient on this list not only offers optimized brain health but each offers unique benefits on the brain, which is precisely what separates them all.