Everyone has experienced “brain fog” from time to time. This is the case even if they call it by a different name. This condition has gained more attention in recent years, as some doctors are now convinced it could be a symptom of more severe health problems. I personally have felt a “clouding of consciousness” a few times. This is why I decided to investigate and research the subject a bit more. What I learned was somewhat surprising.
If you are like me, you might only experience brain fog when you haven’t had a good night’s rest or you’re feeling stressed out. Luckily, this doesn’t happen often. After taking a deeper look into this condition, I discovered that a persistent state of “brain fog” could cause major, problematic issues for anyone who is experiencing it. There’s no doubt that feeling confused, forgetful, and having troubles focusing negatively impacts your career and your overall quality of life.
It’s always a good idea to pay careful attention to your body. If you start noticing more “fog,” there are things that you can do to lift the fog and improve your mental clarity. I’m a big believer that proper nutrition is one of the most effective ways to holistically treat most health conditions. Eating right is also the best possible way to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
The Medical Community Is Looking for Answers
Although “brain fog” or “mind fog” is not officially recognized as a medical condition. However, more studies into the subject are being conducted to delve into the condition further. It will probably take many years for research to discover exactly what causes people to experience brain fog.
While these specialists do their research, I plan on sticking with the philosophy of eating foods that improve brain function to make sure I don’t suffer from this particular condition too often. In my own research, I found plenty of information on nutritious foods that are known to improve memory and brain functions. There are a few stalwart foods that absolutely help increase the facility of your brain to think sharply.
Blueberries Lift the Fog
Blueberries are one of the tastiest and healthiest brain foods you can find. They can be eaten by themselves like I do all the time, or they can be mixed in with yogurt or tossed in a protein shake for an extra nutritional boost.
The case for blueberries as a brain food was made when researchers found out how effective this flavonoid-rich berry was when it came to helping improve memory. The flavonoids blueberries contain help with brain cells regeneration and facilitating communication between healthy brain cells.
By following a diet that contains plenty of blueberries, you are giving your body what it needs to improve both your short-term and your long-term memory. If you aren’t eating enough “brainberries” in your diet, it’s high time you started right away.
Avocados Combat the Effects of Brain Fog
The avocado is a single-seeded berry that helps people combat the “brain fog” before its misty presence causes them any real problems. Some people steer clear of the avocado because it’s relatively high in fat.
I’m not one of those people because I feel the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The fat that avocados contain is monounsaturated. This type of fat is known to help your blood flow more easily. That’s a good thing for your body in general and for your brain in particular. The type of natural, healthy fat found in avocados makes your brain function better, which helps you fight brain fog on a daily basis.
That’s not the only good news, though. Avocados also lower blood pressure and hypertension, which are linked to lowering your cognitive capacity. I include avocados in my diet for all of these reasons!
Seeds and Nuts Help Your Brain Function at Optimal Levels
Research has also shown that eating seeds and nuts help increase your brainpower.
Nuts contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and are 15 to 20% protein. Those reasons alone are strong enough to compel you to add more of them to your diet. The powerful properties nuts possess help support your central nervous system, which helps your brain function at peak capacity.
Some seeds and most nuts do contain relatively high amounts of fat and are calorie-dense, so that is worth keeping in mind if you are being mindful of your overall calorie consumption or fat intake. Still, the tradeoff seems worth it to me. I love the crunchiness, the natural taste and the high quality of protein nuts and seeds offer. When you add in the beneficial fatty acids they contain, there’s no reason not to become a raving fan yourself. Always make sure you’re eating some amount of healthy nuts and seeds and you’ll find that your mind starts getting sharper than ever before.
Pomegranates Remove Toxins to Boost Your Mental Acumen
Back when the ancient people chose pomegranates as one of the first fruits ever cultivated by humankind, it’s doubtful they did it because they realized how many antioxidants it had. All these years later, dietitians figured out what the ancient people may not have known.
Pomegranates are perfect for maintaining a strong immune system to help fight off common ailments. For modern guys like me, though, who are always striving to look and feel our best, this type of immunity booster is a beneficial part of a healthy diet. Pomegranates contain a dizzying array of antioxidants, which have the added benefit of boosting your mental capacity. The brain is actually the part of the body that suffers the most from the presence of free radicals.
Antioxidants combat this damage, leaving modern warrior-scholars at their mental best!
Pomegranates are antioxidants rich and contain up to 40% of your daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C. Even better, they are loaded with tannins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid, which helps put this into the classification of a Superfood. Add this tasty fruit to your diet to always operate at your highest level of performance mentally.
Beans and Greens Are Serious Brain Foods
People who are looking to rapidly increase and improve their brain functions should look no further than beans and greens.
I found it’s relatively easy to add more beans and greens to my diet. Greens, like kale and spinach, taste great in a salad. The times when I feel the need for a massive nutrition infusion, I toss them in my juicer with apples, celery, lemon, and cucumbers and turn them into a tasty, healthy green juice.
Beans are an excellent side serving that can be added to any meal easily. It’s simply a matter of making a genuine effort to incorporate these healthy foods in my daily diet regimen. Mustard greens, kale, and other leafy greens are all rich in nutrients. Fiber, magnesium, and Vitamin K all contribute to helping your body and brain operate at their best.
When I got serious about improving my overall health and brain, in particular, I started eating beans, more often in place of red meat. Red beans are part of my regular diet because they’re powerful anti-oxidants and they taste outstanding. Anytime I can negate the harmful effects of free radicals with a healthy food choice, I have to do it!
I’m a big fan of clear thinking and I want my brain to be fog-free at all times! If you’ve been feeling “foggy” more than you would like to, be sure to add beans and greens to your diet habits and you’ll notice a positive impact right away.
Try Seafood to See Food as a Brain Booster
While some types of seafood are said to contain high levels of mercury, I still like to enjoy a nice protein-rich seafood dish from time to time.
To make sure my seafood is as healthy as I need it to be, I pay attention to exactly where it’s coming from.
That said, seafood is in a class by itself when it comes to offering up Omega-3 fatty acids. This is a big deal because of the broad positive results that seafood offers. When you start to see food as a means to an end like I do, you become most interested in the simple question, “what’s in it for me?” when you sit down to eat.
Seafood refers to a broad category of many types of bounties from the sea. Sardines, herrings, and anchovies are excellent food choices to boost your brainpower. Seafood can be prepared a lot of ways, including being added to a salad.
If that salad contains kale, spinach, sliced avocado, a few crunchy nuts you are on the right track to boosting your brainpower and erasing the brain fog once and for all!
