What Are Antioxidants?

According to the American Journal of Physiology, your brain represents just two-percent of your body weight, but demands 20-PERCENT of your resting metabolism! In other words, your mind's your body's biggest energy hog, and you have to feed it well if you want it to perform. The best foods for your thinker are known as antioxidants, which include: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene, a form of Vitamin A. To see how antioxidants work, understand that, like the rest of the body, the brain ages over time. Free radicals, unstable atoms or molecules that occur in the body, are partly to blame. When free radicals meet with oxygen, the result is rust-like oxidative damage to the brain. The good news is that antioxidants REDUCE that damage, keep the brain agile and help slow the aging process. Blueberries, one of the most powerful antioxidants, also reduces the effects of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Prunes, raisins, blackberries, and pomegranates are ripe with good-for-you antioxidants, too. Meanwhile, spinach, Swiss chard, and arugula are vegetables with excellent antioxidant power. Plus, these leafy greens help the body produce happiness hormones, like serotonin and dopamine. When consuming both fruits and veggies, remember: the darker the color, the higher the antioxidant content! Two other brain-boosting sources of antioxidants are probably already a regular part of your diet. I'm talking about coffee and dark chocolate. Aside from slowing down free radical damage, these substances contain caffeine, which enhances short-term memory.  Plus, dark chocolate stimulates endorphins, which help improve mood! Just consume in moderation: one ounce of dark chocolate each day is plenty, and you should stop at two to three cups of java or tea. To further boost your brainpower, consume a healthy portion of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are a primary building block of healthy brain tissue. Find them in coldwater fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, and aim for two to three four-ounce servings every week. A good brain diet is basically a healthy body diet. It's easy, natural and tasty, so go ahead and nourish your noggin!