Food for Thought

The brain is unique as the center piece of the nervous system. It allows you to think, plan, speak, imagine and store memories. When short term memory is acquired one of three things happen; the information can be repeated, to provide auditory cues; the information goes into long-term memory; or the information is lost. If you find yourself fighting to keep the latter from occurring, there may be some foods that can help improve memory.

The secret ingredient is anthocyanin, the pigments responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits and vegetables. It is also a memory boosting phytochemical that's good for your brain. Remember to incorporate these natural foods to your daily diet in order to improve your memory.

Red Fruits and Vegetables: These include red beets, red onions, cherries, and red apples. Apples also contain high levels of quercetin, an antioxidant and remedy for boosting memory. Quercetin is found in the flesh of the skin, but mostly in the skin. Quercetin has shown a significant effect on memory as it has been shown in recent studies to protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Below are some other dark phytochemical infused fruits:

Blueberries

Blueberries have been proven through several studies to improve memory. The fruit contains anthocyanin and many other phytochemicals that contribute to healthy brain functioning.

Grapes

Dark grapes contain quercetin and anthocyanin, so avoid the green ones and opt for the purple, red or black grapes instead. The same quercetin and anthocyanin can be found in red wines, so one glass per day may benefit more than just the heart but the brain as well. (Note: Overindulging in red wine may cancel out the benefits so don't overdue the drinking.)

Green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are also excellent influences for memory retention. This is also due to their high folic acid content, a nutrient that is believed to be protective against Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory loss. Here are a few other green foods known for boosting memory.

Eggplant

Eggplant contains anthocyanin, which we already know contributes to the brain's health. It also contains nasunin, an antioxidant that protects the lipids in brain cell membranes, and thus helps retain memory.

Rosemary

Rosemary contains carnosic acid, a neuroprotective that has played a role in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative brain disorders. Studies even show that often the scent of rosemary can improve with the retention of memory.