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"The answer to a sharp brain is in the gut," says Dr. David Perlmutter, whose latest book, "Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes To Heal and Protect Your Brain -- For Life," tackles how a change of diet can seemingly alter brain chemistry.
"Food really affects the function of the brain," he notes.
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1. Salmon
Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain performance. Research finds that omega-3 deficiency can lead to fatigue, poor memory, and mood swings. Because your body can't make these essential fatty acids, it's important to get them from food.
salmon lox
Flickr/ImpromptuKitchen
The experts recommend wild salmon over farmed salmon, as it has much higher levels of omega-3s. If salmon isn't an option, try tuna or halibut, which will also provide a healthy dose of omega-3s.
2. Avocado
Avocados offer a lot more than creamy, delicious flavor. They may also provide your brain with a boost: Research shows, for example, that their high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids may help keep nerve cells in the brain healthy. Each serving of avocado also has 20 different vitamins, including potassium — which studies suggest may help control blood pressure — and lutein, which may help protect your eyes.
Avocado
Flickr / threelayercake
A little bit of avocado can go a long way. Because avocados are high in calories, you need to add only a quarter or a half of one avocado to one daily meal.
3. Nuts
Nuts are bursting with vitamin E, which research suggests may help protect against some aspects of age-related cognitive decline. Many nuts are also rich in the essential omega-3 fatty acids mentioned above.
snacks nuts teacup
Flickr / rusvaplauke
While all nuts are great for general health, walnuts in particular may help boost your productivity; in addition to being packed with vitamin E and omega-3s, they also contain vitamin B6, which helps make serotonin and norepinephrine, the chemicals that transmit signals in the brain.
4. Spinach, broccoli, and other leafy greens
Dark-hued leafy greens are nutritional powerhouses. Several studies suggest that spinach and broccoli may help protect against age-related problems and cognitive deficits. Also, both greens are rich in iron, an essential mineral that helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
collard greens
Flickr/Glory Foods
Without iron, your body can't make enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and you may experience low energy and fatigue if you haven't had enough.
5. Berries
A study published in 2012 found that greater intakes of blueberries and strawberries were associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older adults. The research team suspects this is because berries have a high concentration of flavonoids, an antioxidant that may have antihistamine-, antimicrobial-, memory-, and mood-enhancing properties.
blueberries
Flickr/
metaphoricalplatypus.com
Additionally, blueberries have more antioxidants — which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals — than any other fruit and are relatively low in calories (there are fewer than 100 calories in one cup).
6. Red wine
Next time you're out to eat, opt for a dish you can pair with red wine. In addition to being heart-healthy, red wine contains a key component — resveratrol — that may be linked to increased longevity. Most of the studies conducted on resveratrol have been done on animals, however, and more research is needed before determining its exact benefits.
wine
Jamal Saidi/Reuters
Be sure to drink in moderation, as alcohol slows down the brain's ability to function properly by altering levels of neurotransmitters, the messengers sending signals throughout your body that control thought processes.
7. Beans
Beans are often overlooked, but they're a great economical ingredient to add to your grocery list. They contain an ideal blend of complex carbohydrates and protein; this allows them to be digested slowly, which ultimately helps stabilize glucose levels and curb fatigue.
Beans
cookbookman17/Flickr
The experts recommend half a cup of lentils or black beans a day.
8. Dark chocolate
Harvard researchers recently conducted a small study that suggests a link between dark chocolate and brain function. The research team studied the effects of cocoa — specifically flavanol, a natural compound in cocoa beans — in 60 people between 67 and 77 years old by having them drink hot cocoa twice a day for a month. Study author and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School Farzaneh Sorond told ABC News that the chocolate appeared to boost the brain's blood supply, providing it with more fuel for the work that it does.
GettyImages 479290903
Justin Sullivan/Getty
Don't overdo it, though, because this food needs to be consumed in moderation to work its wonders. WebMD suggests eating a small, 1.6-ounce piece of dark chocolate a day (an ounce is about the size of a book of matches).
9. Cayenne pepper
Hot peppers are rich in capsaicin, a natural pain reliever and fat fighter that research suggests may help you cut back on calories and assist in the body's breakdown of fat. So the next time you're preparing a meal, rather than reaching for the salt or black pepper, the smarter choice may be a pinch of cayenne.
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These foods will make you smarter
Katie Pisa, for CNN
Updated 1:09 PM ET, Thu June 4, 2015
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Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, are full of <em>Lactobacillus Acidophilus</em>, which aid the immune system by keeping good versus bad bacteria in check.
PHOTOS:
Good bacteria – Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, are full of Lactobacillus Acidophilus, which aid the immune system by keeping good versus bad bacteria in check.
7 of 12
Condiments, including mustard, horseradish, tapenade and salsa, are all healthy if they are gluten and wheat-free, and free of soy or sugars. <br />
PHOTOS:
Spice it up – Condiments, including mustard, horseradish, tapenade and salsa, are all healthy if they are gluten and wheat-free, and free of soy or sugars.
8 of 12
Perlmutter&
39
;s fasting recommendation is simple -- do it every season, don&
39
;t eat and drink lots of water for a 24-hour period.
PHOTOS:
Cleanse – Perlmutter's fasting recommendation is simple -- do it every season, don't eat and drink lots of water for a 24-hour period.
9 of 12
Garlic, leeks, ginger, onion, Jerusalem artichoke are all full of helpful prebiotics if eaten raw.
PHOTOS:
Raw is best – Garlic, leeks, ginger, onion, Jerusalem artichoke are all full of helpful prebiotics if eaten raw.
10 of 12
Broccoli has vitamin K which helps strenghten cognitive abilities. It also has choline which has been found to help our memory. The folic acid in broccoli not only helps to prevent depression. It also works to reduce the risk of Alzheimer&
39
;s disease. Brussel sprouts are "brain maker" food, too. <br />
PHOTOS:
Eat this daily – Broccoli has vitamin K which helps strenghten cognitive abilities. It also has choline which has been found to help our memory. The folic acid in broccoli not only helps to prevent depression. It also works to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Brussel sprouts are "brain maker" food, too.
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Water filters help keep harmful chemicals such as chlorine out of our water.
PHOTOS:
Clean your H2O – Water filters help keep harmful chemicals such as chlorine out of our water.
12 of 12
The perfect meal on the "Brain Maker" diet is a decent-sized portion of vegetables served with 3-4 ounces of protein.
PHOTOS:
Protein and two veg – The perfect meal on the "Brain Maker" diet is a decent-sized portion of vegetables served with 3-4 ounces of protein.
1 of 12
Can blueberries really help our memory? A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found an extract of blueberries eaten every day led to a reversal of nerve cell damage in rats. Blueberries, they found, improved short-term memory loss and reversed some loss of balance and coordination. <br />
PHOTOS:
Berries are best – Can blueberries really help our memory? A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found an extract of blueberries eaten every day led to a reversal of nerve cell damage in rats. Blueberries, they found, improved short-term memory loss and reversed some loss of balance and coordination.
2 of 12
The polyphenols found in tea are said to positively influence gut diversity. Fizzy kombucha tea, a black tea recommended in the book "Brain Maker", is said to increase energy and help weight loss.
PHOTOS:
Tea time – The polyphenols found in tea are said to positively influence gut diversity. Fizzy kombucha tea, a black tea recommended in the book "Brain Maker", is said to increase energy and help weight loss.
3 of 12
Red wine is full of polyphenols, which help keep the gut healthy. So drink up, but keep to one glass a day.
PHOTOS:
A glass a day – Red wine is full of polyphenols, which help keep the gut healthy. So drink up, but keep to one glass a day.
4 of 12
Avocados, though fatty, are full of healthy unsaturated fats which helps brain cell membranes stay flexible. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados have been proven to protect nerve cells in the brain and also improve the brain&
39
;s muscle strength. <br />
PHOTOS:
Good fat – Avocados, though fatty, are full of healthy unsaturated fats which helps brain cell membranes stay flexible. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados have been proven to protect nerve cells in the brain and also improve the brain's muscle strength.
5 of 12
In moderation, dark chocolate is full of gut-loving ingredients.
PHOTOS:
Chocolate, the darker the better – In moderation, dark chocolate is full of gut-loving ingredients.
6 of 12
Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, are full of <em>Lactobacillus Acidophilus</em>, which aid the immune system by keeping good versus bad bacteria in check.
PHOTOS:
Good bacteria – Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, are full of Lactobacillus Acidophilus, which aid the immune system by keeping good versus bad bacteria in check.
7 of 12
Condiments, including mustard, horseradish, tapenade and salsa, are all healthy if they are gluten and wheat-free, and free of soy or sugars. <br />
PHOTOS:
Spice it up – Condiments, including mustard, horseradish, tapenade and salsa, are all healthy if they are gluten and wheat-free, and free of soy or sugars.
8 of 12
Perlmutter&
39
;s fasting recommendation is simple -- do it every season, don&
39
;t eat and drink lots of water for a 24-hour period.
PHOTOS:
Cleanse – Perlmutter's fasting recommendation is simple -- do it every season, don't eat and drink lots of water for a 24-hour period.
9 of 12
Garlic, leeks, ginger, onion, Jerusalem artichoke are all full of helpful prebiotics if eaten raw.
PHOTOS:
Raw is best – Garlic, leeks, ginger, onion, Jerusalem artichoke are all full of helpful prebiotics if eaten raw.
10 of 12
Broccoli has vitamin K which helps strenghten cognitive abilities. It also has choline which has been found to help our memory. The folic acid in broccoli not only helps to prevent depression. It also works to reduce the risk of Alzheimer&
39
;s disease. Brussel sprouts are "brain maker" food, too. <br />
PHOTOS:
Eat this daily – Broccoli has vitamin K which helps strenghten cognitive abilities. It also has choline which has been found to help our memory. The folic acid in broccoli not only helps to prevent depression. It also works to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Brussel sprouts are "brain maker" food, too.
11 of 12
Water filters help keep harmful chemicals such as chlorine out of our water.
PHOTOS:
Clean your H2O – Water filters help keep harmful chemicals such as chlorine out of our water.
Hide Caption
12 of 12
The perfect meal on the "Brain Maker" diet is a decent-sized portion of vegetables served with 3-4 ounces of protein.
PHOTOS:
Protein and two veg – The perfect meal on the "Brain Maker" diet is a decent-sized portion of vegetables served with 3-4 ounces of protein.
1 of 12
Can blueberries really help our memory? A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found an extract of blueberries eaten every day led to a reversal of nerve cell damage in rats. Blueberries, they found, improved short-term memory loss and reversed some loss of balance and coordination. <br />
PHOTOS:
Berries are best – Can blueberries really help our memory? A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found an extract of blueberries eaten every day led to a reversal of nerve cell damage in rats. Blueberries, they found, improved short-term memory loss and reversed some loss of balance and coordination.
Hide Caption
2 of 12
The polyphenols found in tea are said to positively influence gut diversity. Fizzy kombucha tea, a black tea recommended in the book "Brain Maker", is said to increase energy and help weight loss.
PHOTOS:
Tea time – The polyphenols found in tea are said to positively influence gut diversity. Fizzy kombucha tea, a black tea recommended in the book "Brain Maker", is said to increase energy and help weight loss.
3 of 12
Red wine is full of polyphenols, which help keep the gut healthy. So drink up, but keep to one glass a day.
PHOTOS:
A glass a day – Red wine is full of polyphenols, which help keep the gut healthy. So drink up, but keep to one glass a day.
4 of 12
Avocados, though fatty, are full of healthy unsaturated fats which helps brain cell membranes stay flexible. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados have been proven to protect nerve cells in the brain and also improve the brain&
39
;s muscle strength. <br />
PHOTOS:
Good fat – Avocados, though fatty, are full of healthy unsaturated fats which helps brain cell membranes stay flexible. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados have been proven to protect nerve cells in the brain and also improve the brain's muscle strength.
Hide Caption
5 of 12
In moderation, dark chocolate is full of gut-loving ingredients.
PHOTOS:
Chocolate, the darker the better – In moderation, dark chocolate is full of gut-loving ingredients.
Hide Caption
6 of 12
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brain food - fish and vegetablesBrain food - blueberriesBrain food - green teaBrain food - red wineBrain food - avocadobrain food - chocolateBrain food - yoghurtbrain food - mustardbrain foods- fasting - gandhibrain food - garlicBrain food - brocolliBrain food - Water filter
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
If you want to work smarter, you have to eat smarter
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The gut is a "second brain" and when it's healthy, the person is happier
Our digestive system is the key to making our brain work better and making us healthier
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-------------------
"The answer to a sharp brain is in the gut," says Dr. David Perlmutter, whose latest book, "Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes To Heal and Protect Your Brain -- For Life," tackles how a change of diet can seemingly alter brain chemistry.
"Food really affects the function of the brain," he notes.
-------------------