7 OF THE BEST...
BRAIN BOOSTING TREATS
COCONUT WATER: Sports and energy drinks are high in added sugar, processed minerals and salts, and are not good for the brain.
Far better is coconut water, which is lower in sugar and replenishes electrolytes (such as potassium) which can be lost in sweat.
ALOE JUICE: This is nature’s first aid kit. It is naturally antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, contains 99 per cent water and more than 00 active components from vitamins and minerals to amino acids, enzymes, and even fatty acids. Drinking aloe juice is a great way to reduce inflammation, and get the brain ready to spring into action. HONEY: Raw honey is packed with enzymes, antioxidants, and brain-essential vitamin B6. However, supermarket honey tends to be pasteurised (heated as part of the manufacturing process) and this strips it of most of its nutrients, making it is as bad for your brain as refined white sugar.
Look for raw honey at farmers’ markets or buy it directly from local beekeepers. The darker the honey, the richer the flavour, the higher the concentration of antioxidants and the greater the health benefits.
CAVIAR: Fish eggs, or roe, are the best treat for our big, hungry brains. Packed with high-quality omega-3s, salmon roe also contains high levels of vitamins C, E and selenium, plus a nice dose of B vitamins.
It’s also high in protein — an essential building block for brain cells. MARMITE: Brewer’s yeast is a great natural source of choline (a vitamin B-like nutrient), which the brain needs to make the chemical acetylcholine, which is crucial for memory and learning, as well as
arousal and reward. An acquired taste, Marmite has brewer’s yeast as its main ingredient. CHOCOLATE: In its purest form, chocolate has powerful health benefits. But you need to be willing to give up the milk and sugar that comes with commercial chocolate. Instead, choose high-quality dark chocolate with at least 65 per cent cocoa and little or no added sugar. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidant flavonoids and minerals like magnesium and potassium.
WINE: If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation, always on a full stomach, and choose red wine over white or rosé.
Red wine has long been known to protect our brains from harm while uplifting the heart. Men can enjoy two glasses a day, and women can have one. Go for quality over quantity (organic is best).