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6 simple and delicious foods to boost your brain health

Grocery list essentials for a strong mind.

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There’s no known way to prevent dementia, but eating the right foods may help lower your risk. Incredibly, certain foods—especially whole, fresh fruits and vegetables—can pack powerful disease-fighting nutrients into tiny, tasty packages. Support your mind by adding these natural brain boosters to your diet.

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Sip on a warm cup of joe

The short-term effects of coffee, like increased alertness and improved mood, are well known. That’s probably why over 150 million people in the US drink it daily. And now, some long-term benefits are coming to light, as well. More research is needed, but in preliminary studies, coffeeShow More

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Cook up some savory salmon

The oils found in fatty fish like salmon are rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a form of omega-3 fatty acid, which a number of studies have linked to a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

Some studies showed people with dementia who regularly ate fatty fish had fewerShow More

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Snack on walnuts

Looking for an easy workday snack? Stash a bag of walnuts in your desk. These protein-rich nuts will keep you full until lunch, while their alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—another form of omega-3 fatty acid—may sharpen your thinking. In a number of studies, people who snacked on walnuts scoredShow More

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Pop a few blueberries

Blueberries contain flavonoids, compounds that help reduce chronic inflammation, which may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to some preliminary research. And a small 2016 study found that consuming blueberry powder improved memory and brain function in a group of olderShow More

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Invest in a juicer

Diets rich in fruits and veggies are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and numerous cancers. But if it’s a challenge to fit in your daily recommended servings, try juicing to up your intake. Studies have linked the habit to improved brain health among the elderly. One studyShow More

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Chew some sugar-free gum

Research suggests popping a piece of gum may provide a 20- to 30-minute boost in memory and task performance. That may be why school children perform better on exams and adults score higher on reasoning tests while chewing gum. So chomp on a piece if you need a mental pick-me-up; just be sure toShow More

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Avoid Cholesterol-Raising Fats

Keeping your cholesterol within the normal range offers a host of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. It may even help stave off dementia, as some studies have linked the condition to diets high in cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats.Show More

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