• Home
  • About Me
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Checkout
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Jillies Blog

health and wellness, fitness, foodie, lifestyle, better health

  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
  • FITNESS
  • LIFESTYLE
    • FOODIE
You are here: Home / LIFESTYLE / Boost Your Brainpower

Boost Your Brainpower

December 2, 2022

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Do you have days when you are feeling a little foggy in the head?  Science is always finding new ways to help.

With a few simple strategies you can improve your brain health and help you stay sharper for longer.

The brain is a complex organ that basically controls the functions of your body. Your brain needs special nutrients to function to its maximum: glucose, vitamins, minerals and other essential chemicals. For example, the fuel (energy) for your brain is glucose. You can get glucose by eating carbohydrates or other foods that can be converted to glucose.

Science is advancing all the time and learning more about the brain, how it functions and ways we can improve its functioning.  This enables up to perform at our maximum level.  You help this by being aware of a few strategies that will assist with improving your brain power.

A Well Balanced Diet

Raichle and Gusnard’s research has found your brain burns around 1250K joules (300 calories) each day simply by performing its regular mental tasks so it’s important to keep it fuelled up with the right kind of foods. The brain also uses approximately 20% of the oxygen we need to survive.

A well-balanced diet improves overall health as well as brain health. Eating the right food reduces the risk of developing health conditions that can lead to dementia.

Foods that promote brain health include:

  • olive oil
  • fruits and vegetables high in vitamin E, such as blueberries, broccoli, and spinach
  • foods rich in antioxidants, such as walnuts and pecans
  • omega-3 fatty acids that can be found in fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna

Chocolate (Cocoa) and Coconut

A study by The Age Well Project /has found that eating chocolate (made with cocoa) and coconut may protect brain function and counteract cognitive decline. The process is that it assists with widening the blood vessels in the brain thus improving blood flow.  It also may improve general cognition, attention, processing, speed and memory.

The chocolate must be made with cocoa which is also a good source of flavonoids (dietary antioxidants).

In the process of their research The Age Well project focused on the brains of young teens who are sitting for exams.  They have published a recipe for Brain Balls for these exam sitting teens.  It looks like a good recipe to have for after the gym or even as an afternoon pick me up, when we need the brain power even for us older adults.

The recipe from https://agewellproject.com/new-research-on-dementia-and-coconut-chocolate-brain-balls-for-exam-sitting-teens is below:

COCONUT CHOCOLATE BRAIN BALLS

In the process of their research The Age Well project focused on the brains of young teens who are sitting for exams.  They have published a recipe for Brain Balls for these exam sitting teens.  It looks like a good recipe to have for after the gym or even as an afternoon pick me up, when we need the brain power even for us older adults.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 75g coconut oil
  • 60g almond butter
  • 50g coconut flakes
  • 2 tabs gogi berries or cranberries
  • 80g oats add more if necessary
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 50g dark or milk chocolate (made with cocoa)

Instructions
 

  • Gently warm the coconut oil and almond butter together in a medium sized bowl in the microwave.
    Stir in the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate. Put the bowl in the fridge for around 20mins, until the mixture is firm.
    With wet hands, shape walnut-sized balls of the mixture – it’s very crumbly.
    Melt the chocolate and pour about half a teaspoon over each brain ball. Keep in the fridge.

Learn a Second Language

Learning a new language is not only fun it’s also great for your brain power.  In 2021 a study followed a group of adults aged 65 and older who hadn’t studied another language in a previous decade.  They were encouraged to complete a Spanish course using a language app dual lingo. 

After using the app for just 30 minutes each day for 16 weeks they showed improvements in range of cognitive functions. It was also evident that they enjoyed learning a new skill.

Elevate Your Heart Rate

A quick way to improve your concentration is aerobic exercise.  A single 10 minute bout of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise is enough to improve focus and productivity.    Remember the brain uses 20% of the oxygen we breath.

The next time you’re battling brain fog skip the caffeine and try a quick workout instead.  If you are one who suffers the afternoon slump, a quick walk at lunch time or afternoon teatime might help your focus and energy levels.

Interval Training

Keeping active doesn’t only reap rewards for younger brains it’s also useful for older adults.

An Australian study, conducted at the university of Sunshine Coast in Queensland found that interval training can be as beneficial for the brains of older men as continuous exercise.  Interval Training is alternating short bursts of more intense activity with longer bursts at a lower intensity level.

If you have health concerns or haven’t exercised in awhile always consult your GP before starting a new programme.

Household Chores

That’s right!  Scientists are already aware of the positive impact that exercise of all levels has on the brain. These studies are conducted to understand how different forms of physical activity contribute to brain health.  This is crucial for developing strategies to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.

In a recent study 66 cognitively healthy adults were asked about the time they spent on household chores, such as tidying, dusting, meal preparation and clean up, shopping, heavy housework, yard work, home repairs and caregiving.

The researchers found that older adults who spent more time engaging in such activities had greater brain volume, regardless of how much exercise they did. 

The evidence is reasonably convincing that the way to improve our brain power is to keep moving, no matter what exercise we do or to what level.  The scientists were also suggesting that the actual planning of the household chores had an impact on improving brain functioning.

Sleep

Seep is our bodies way of recharging.  It’s also essential for building and regenerating at a cellular level. Sleep consolidates memories and removes toxins in your brain that build up while you are awake. 

While scientists are still learning exactly how sleep impacts brain development it’s becoming clear that it’s essential for a variety of cognitive functions.

This is evident if you’ve struggled to think clearly after a night spent tossing and turning.

Improving your brain power is about adopting healthy habits and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




I am a lifestyle blogger whose interests follow my career and hobbies.  My intention for my blog is to be an informative interactive platform so my readers will have a positive experience from visiting.  I encourage you to contact me with comments or further information you may require.

About me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

Pinterest

The Man Shake Meal in a Shake Coffee Flavoured

The Man Shake Meal in a Shake Coffee Flavoured

The Man Shake Meal in a Shake Coffee Flavoured
Believe it or not, weight loss isn't as hard as you think. The Man Shake program is simple to follow and the best part is you don't have to give up the food you love or starve yourself!

The Lady Shake Chocolate Flavour 840g

The Lady Shake Chocolate Flavour 840g

The Lady Shake is a healthy meal in a shake specifically designed for women. Great for breakfast as it is high in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals and low in sugar.

RENPHO Foot Massager with Soothing Heat

RENPHO Foot Massager with Soothing Heat

RENPHO Foot Massager with Soothing Heat, Shiatsu Electric Foot Massager, Deep Kneading Heated Feet Back Massager, Relieve Pain & Stress of Foot and Back Fit All Size Feet

White Noise Machine – Dreamegg Sound Machine for Sleeping & Relaxing, 24 Non-Looping HIFI Sounds, 3 Auto-off Timer, Soothing Night Light, Noise Machine for Baby/Kid/Adults/Office, USB or AC Powered (White)

White Noise Machine - Dreamegg Sound Machine for Sleeping & Relaxing, 24 Non-Looping HIFI Sounds, 3 Auto-off Timer, Soothing Night Light, Noise Machine for Baby/Kid/Adults/Office, USB or AC Powered (White)

White Noise Machine Not only for babies, but also for moms and dads! With premium speaker, the sound machine provides vivid simulation of nature sounds, so you can get into your zone quicker and deeper like sleeping, meditation, yoga, or napping.)

FOLLOW

@dellow777

This is nice to finish the day! This is nice to finish the day!
Instagram post 17941588352419873 Instagram post 17941588352419873
Self Compassion..... Self Compassion.....
Happy Wednesday #pinterest Happy Wednesday 
#pinterest
Instagram post 17918803259650744 Instagram post 17918803259650744
Instagram post 18167910097270811 Instagram post 18167910097270811
I hope you have nearly finished Christmas shopping I hope you have nearly finished Christmas shopping, hard to believe Christmas Day is on the weekend!
If you were shopping in the early 1920"s here are a couple of gifts you may have considered.  Check out the prices!
Does anyone remember having a gift like this, some collectors would still have them. 🌸
##pinterest ##pinterest

Copyright © 2023 Jillies Blog · Theme by Blog Pixie