9 Things that will definitely make you smarter

As we grow older, we lose some brain cells which means we get less smart with age and our children will most probably have more brain cells than we do. With good nutrition and brain exercises, we can lose fewer brain cells and keep the ones we have in optimum healthy conditions.

To be smart, you have to be able to learn easily, remember things you learn, solve problems with ease and think fast. The foods below feed the brain cells with what they need but you have to do tasks that strengthen the parts of the brain you want to improve. For example, when you were learning to read, you had to look at one word at a time and try to remember the sounds the letters make then put them together and pronounce the word. With lots of practice, you can now read words without having to think what letter makes what sound; it just comes naturally. The brain has the ability to be faster and better but you have to work it out and there are so many programs designed to help with that.

Fish

Growing up people said that communities from the lake region produce most doctors and engineers. These lake region communities shared their secret and if you did not get the memo it is not too late for you. The brain’s super food is omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Most people get enough Omega 6 from vegetable oils but to get Omega 3 you need to embrace fish and by embrace I mean eat and not hug. Flax nuts, walnuts and hazel nuts are also sources of Omega 3 fatty acids but fish is an even better source

PS, research shows that women who consume enough Omega 3 fatty acids during their second and third trimesters have smarter babies.

Sugar

Before you add another teaspoon of sugar to your tea please read to the end. It is true that the preferred fuel for the brain is glucose and the brain only uses other substances for energy under extreme conditions of glucose deprivation. However, you need to eat complex carbohydrates for optimum brain function.  Complex carbohydrates (those packed with fiber) provide slow release of glucose to the brain. This ensures the brain of a constant supply of glucose meaning that your brain stays alert all the time.

Avocados

The high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados help with blood circulation and keep the brain cells in the brain healthy. In addition, the vitamin E in avocados neutralizes free radicals (see about free radicals below) that are formed as part of normal body processes.

Antioxidants

Free radicals are molecules lacking an electron. They are formed by normal body processes and they steal the electrons they lack from other stable molecules which is not good.  Antioxidants sacrifice their electrons making sure that the molecules in your body stay stable. If none of that made sense, remember that free radicals are bad and antioxidants are good. Examples of antioxidants include; Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and lycopene. In terms of real food, these include; oranges, carrots, pumpkins, mangoes, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, tomatoes, capsicum, sweet potatoes, watermelon, blueberries, pawpaw and any fruits and vegetables you could think of.

Nuts

Nuts are full of vitamin E which helps with age related brain function decline. Many nuts are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids which is good for the brain. The Vitamin B6 in most nuts also helps make chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. Nuts are good, but walnuts are the king of nuts for the brain.

Black beans

With a perfect blend of protein and carbohydrates, beans make sure that the brain has a consistent supply of energy. What I love about beans is that they are very affordable and can be prepared in so many ways.

Water

The rest of your body benefits from enough water so your brain should too. The brain is made up of approximately 75% water and keeping it hydrated keeps you alert meaning you learn and think faster.

Sleep

We learn new things every day. As we sleep, our memories are consolidated. This is an easy but an important part of getting our brains in shape.

Exercise

Both physical and mental exercises are very good for the brain. Cognitive brain training exercises are exercises that train your brain to learn. The saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks could not be more wrong. We can change and strengthen the way we think by working out our brains. There are brain exercises for all kinds of functions from thinking fast to focusing on particular tasks.