I was talking with a friend today and she commented on how she cannot seem to remember things lately. As I thought about her comment, I realized that my husband has had problems with my short-term memory as well. In order to have a healthy brain, one must first have a healthy body. Healthy heart=healthy brain. Eating foods rich in flavonoids, folate and omega 3 fatty acids can help boost memory.
Studies have shown that flavonoids help protect against the loss of brain cells and may help reverse memory loss. Berries, especially blueberries, are the best sources of flavonoids. One study from Britain showed that people that ate blueberries enhances spatial memory and learning.
Leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and greens are chocked full of folate. Foods high in folate help reduce homocysteine levels in the blood. People with high homocysteine levels have shown to have higher risks of heart disease and memory decline. An Australian study showed that a diet rich in folic acid helps increase information processing and recall in the brain. Bonus: add lemons to leafy greens to help the body absorb iron more effectively.
Salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Rush University Medical Center in Chicago conducted a 6 years study regarding memory decline amongst 3000 people. The study showed that those that ate fish one day a week had a 10% slower decline in memory than those that did not have fish in their diet. (resources: Joy Bauer and Livestrong)
