It is well known that eating well is good for your physical health, but did you know that eating well is equally important for your mental health too? The brain is a vital part of your body. It enables you to think, keeps your heart beating, and your lungs breathing. It is prudent to take care of your brain health to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The type of foods you consume play an important role in promoting your brain and mental health. Among the top brain-boosting foods are:

1. Fish
Fish is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon and sardines are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s promote the development of brain and nerve cells and are vital for learning and memory. They also protect the brain against cognitive decline and help avert Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Blueberries
Blueberries offer many benefits to the health of the brain. They contain anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce brain-aging and prevent degenerative diseases. Blueberries are also known to help improve memory.

3. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice found in curry powder. It helps to improve the memory of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it eases depression just like an antidepressant and helps delay age-related cognitive decline.

4. Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are an important source of iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. These nutrients are essential to the health of the brain because they help avert a depression, Parkinson’s disease, neurological diseases and are important in dementia prevention.

5. Coffee
Many people drink coffee to stay awake and to improve their concentration. Studies have shown that caffeine, found in coffee, increases the brain capacity to process information. Coffee is also a source of antioxidants and long term consumption reduces the risk of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline.

6. Nuts
Scientists have confirmed that consumption of nuts improves the health of the heart and a healthy heart means a healthy brain. Nuts provide the following important nutrients to the body: healthy fats, vitamin E and antioxidants. These nutrients help prevent inflammation, Parkinson’s and neurological diseases.

7. Eggs
Eggs provide vitamin B-6, B-12,E, and folic acid all tied to a healthy brain. Vitamin E is an important macronutrient that helps in dementia prevention and reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B helps reduce depression and mental decline among the elderly.

8. Oranges
Eating one orange a day gives a healthy dose of vitamin C. Vitamin C is crucial in preventing age-related mental decline. You can also get vitamin C from guava, kiwi, and tomatoes.