As people age, their brains will age too, which leads to cognitive decline. To slow down that downhill process, a healthy diet is just as important as ample sleep. Here are four foods that will help your brains stay healthy.

Blueberries

Add a few handfuls of berries to a salad or your morning smoothie for a big brain boost. Recent research found that as little as 2.5 cups of the flavonoid-rich berries per day for six months tamped down inflammation and significantly improved the speed that the brain could process information. It’s essential to eat blueberries daily to get the benefits.

“[Flavonoids] improve brain tissue by depressing inflammation and not allowing oxidative stress to impair brain functioning,” It has to be a regular input of flavonoids, says Mary Ann Lila, director of the Plants for Human Health Institute at North Carolina State University. “You have to eat a serving a day; you can’t just load up on weekends.”

Salmon

Wild salmon and other fatty fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which a 2022 study linked to greater brain volumes, improved abstract reasoning and logical thinking; omega-3s also slow cognitive decline and decrease the risk of developing dementia.

Three pieces of sushi contain around three ounces of salmon — a sufficient amount to get those essential fatty acids and boost brain health, according to Nyree Dardarian, professor at Drexel University.

Eggs

Whether you prefer them scrambled, poached, or fried, eggs are chock-full of nutrients like choline and lutein that support brain function. Eating one egg per week is associated with slower rates of cognitive decline.

Coffee

A morning caffeine jolt can actually provide a brain boost, too.

“[Coffee] isn’t building brain cells or providing the fuel for the brain neurotransmission but it does seem to help people with neurological diseases,” Lila explains. “Coffee helps you to be more alert and help you concentrate.”

Studies show that the popular beverage could help slow cognitive decline and improve planning and decision-making abilities. But drinking too much coffee could have the opposite effect. Drinking more than six cups of coffee per day was linked to a 53% increase in the risk of dementia.

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【压制】yāzhì tamp down lower, limit, control

【降低】jiàngdī depress cause to drop or sink, lower

随着人逐渐衰老，大脑也会退化，认知能力会逐渐下降，要想减缓脑退化，除了保证充足睡眠外，健康的饮食也很重要。下面就介绍几种“补脑”食物。

蓝莓

在沙拉或晨间奶昔中加入几把浆果，非常有益大脑健康。最新研究发现，六个月内每天摄入2.5杯富含类黄酮的浆果就可以抑制炎症，并显著提高大脑处理信息的速度。每天吃蓝莓对大脑就能起到这些益处。

北卡罗来纳州立大学人类健康植物研究所所长玛丽•安•莉拉说：“类黄酮通过抑制炎症和阻止氧化应激损害大脑功能，从而改善大脑组织。”必须定期摄入类黄酮才能产生这种效果。“要保证每天的摄入，而不能只是周末一口气吃个够。”

三文鱼

野生三文鱼和其他高脂肪鱼类富含欧米伽3脂肪酸，2022年的一项研究表明，这种脂肪酸与大脑体积增大、抽象推理和逻辑思维能力提高有关；还能减缓认知能力下降速度，降低痴呆风险。

据德雷塞尔大学教授尼里•达达里安介绍，三块寿司中含有大约三盎司三文鱼，这一份量的三文鱼足以提供人体所需的欧米伽3脂肪酸，对大脑健康有益。

鸡蛋

无论是炒鸡蛋、煮鸡蛋还是煎鸡蛋，都富含胆碱和叶黄素等营养物质，这些营养物质可以维持大脑运转。每周吃一个鸡蛋能减缓认知能力下降速度。

咖啡

早晨摄入咖啡因也对大脑有益处。

莉拉解释称：“（咖啡）并不能生成脑细胞，也不为大脑神经传递提供能量，但它似乎确实能帮助神经疾病患者。咖啡有助于提高大脑敏捷度、集中注意力。”

研究表明，咖啡作为一种人气饮品，有助于减缓认知衰退，提高大脑的规划和决策能力。但喝太多咖啡可能会产生相反的效果。每天喝六杯以上咖啡，痴呆风险增加53%。

(chinadaily.com.cn)