Eating For Health

Have you ever heard of brain food?   Foods you can eat for a healthier brain?   I always told my students that before an exam they should drink some water.   Why?   Because even being slightly dehydrated (1%-5%) can adversely affect brain function .   A 2% decrease in brain hydration can result in short term memory loss and have trouble with math computations. Besides staying hydrated, what foods can you eat for a healthier brain? My sister sent me an interesting article, “ People who eat magnesium-rich foods like spinach and almonds may have bigger, healthier brains” .    Why magnesium?   According to NIH , about half of Americans have diets deficient in magnesium.   It is known as a “silent deficiency” as most people are totally unaware that they are lacking in magnesium.   What are the health benefits of magnesium?   Magnesium is a mineral that has many roles to play in your body.         Heart ...

Google “blueberries and health” and you will see article after article about the health benefits of blueberries.   My sister sent me one titled, 7 Science-Backed Benefits of Blueberries .   Growing up I often went blueberry picking with my grandparents.      My grandmother then made blueberry muffins, blueberry pie and blueberry sauce.    Little did I know that wild blueberries were especially healthy.        What are some of the health benefits of blueberries?          Heart health:   Blueberries help lower your bad LDL cholesterol while increasing your good, HDL cholesterol.   Additionally, blueberries help lower your blood pressure.   The antioxidants in blueberries help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.   To read more about blueberries and heart health, go to Heart Health . Improve brain function :   Studies on older adults have found that eating bl...

How does the food you eat affect how you are feeling?   Most of us have seen kids eat a lot of sweets and then have a “sugar high”.   Yet, eating foods high in added sugar can affect adults also.   How does your day-to-day diet affect how you feel?   Are their foods that promote a better mood, better mental health?   Are there foods that do just the opposite and adversely affect your mental health?  Psychology Today has an interesting article, The Foods We Eat Do Affect Our Mental Health.   Here’s the Proof .   Students in my classes often ask if what you eat affects your mood.   And the evidence now suggests, “yes” – the foods you eat do affect your mood and your mental health.   Why?   Because your brain needs nutrients to function.    What are some foods and nutrients that promote good mental health? Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein are foods to focus on to improve your mental health.   These ...