Our brain-boosting posts are having PayPath readers on the ball and sharp as tacks, so here are more brain-boosting foods – P, Q, and R - to add to your healthy grocery list. Last time we covered mackerel, nuts, and oats, so it's time to bring on even more variety for a diet that's good for the body and mind.
Aside from being delicious, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, and rosemary are all beneficial to the brain and will keep you focused and clear-headed while at work and well into the night while with friends and family. Knowing you're eating right will steer you towards feeling energetic and as smart as a whip. Get ready to grab something good for your gray matter!
Pumpkin Seeds
When it's pumpkin-carving season, be sure to save those seeds because they are brain-boosting and super-nutritious. And if you can't get 'em fresh, nearly any supermarket or health food store carries pumpkin seeds year-round.
As per mindbodygreen, pumpkin seeds are, "a rich source of zinc, a mineral that plays an important role in memory and overall brain function."
Additionally, eating these tasty little seeds can help you get a good night's rest – also important for a productive day ahead. According to Mercola, "Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid (protein building block) that your body converts into serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin, the 'sleep hormone'."
With just about 150 calories in a one-ounce portion, pumpkin seeds will keep you trim while satisfying your need to nosh.
Quinoa
Quinoa is one of the healthiest foods around and is considered a "superfood." According to mindbodygreen, "Quinoa contains iron. Iron helps keep our red blood cells healthy and is the basis of hemoglobin formation. Iron also increases brain function because the brain takes in about 20% of our blood oxygen."
And if work is giving you a headache, quinoa may be the cure. It is rich in magnesium which has been shown to ward off migraines.
As per Authority Nutrition, one serving of quinoa packs in 8 grams of protein and is full of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Make quinoa your new go-to grain and see the difference it makes in your overall health and brain function.
Rosemary
It's time to start adding some zest to your favorite foods, and rosemary is the perfect choice for flavor and function. According to Dr. Axe, "Carnosic acid, one of the main ingredients in rosemary, helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration. It does this by protecting the brain against chemical free radicals, which are linked to neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's, strokes and normal aging in the brain."
Add fresh or dried rosemary to pastas, omelets, potato dishes, meat dishes, salad dressings, and more. It will elevate the gourmet-factor of your favorite dishes while elevating your brain power!
