There is a common saying that we are what we eat, what we eat has a lot of effect on how we look and how every part of our body works including our brain. Different types of foods affect the neurotransmitters in our brain. The neurotransmitter is chemical substances that help the brain to function effectively.
People suffer from different conditions due to the type of food we eat. Our diet can affect the way we sleep, eat, feel, think and concentrate. Lousy diets can lead to various conditions like insomnia, reduced concentration, and cognitive functions.
10 Brain Foods That Help You Concentrate
There Are Different Foods That Help Us Concentrate, Such As:
1. Ginseng and Caffeine
Listen to the buzz about foods and dietary supplements, and you’ll believe they can do everything from sharpen focus to enhance memory, attention span, and brain function.
But do they work? There’s no denying that as we age, our body ages right along with us. The good news is that you can improve your chances of maintaining a healthy brain if you add “smart” foods and drinks to your diet.
There’s no magic bullet to boost IQ or make you smarter, but certain substances, like caffeine, can energize you and help you concentrate. Found in coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, and some medications, caffeine gives you that unmistakable wake-up buzz, though the effects are short-term. And more is often less: Overdo it on caffeine, and it can make you jittery and uncomfortable
2. Glucose
Glucose is your brain’s preferred fuel source, not table sugar, but glucose, which your body processes from the sugars and carbs you eat. That’s why a glass of OJ or another fruit juice can offer a short-term boost to memory, thinking, and mental ability.
Have too much, though, and memory can be impaired — along with the rest of you. Go easy on the added sugar, as it has been linked to heart disease and other conditions.
3. Breakfast
Tempted to skip breakfast? Studies have found that eating breakfast may improve short-term memory and attention. Students who eat it tend to perform better than those who don’t. Foods at the top of researchers’ brain-fuel list include high-fiber whole grains, dairy, and fruits. Just don’t overeat; researchers also found high-calorie breakfasts appear to hinder concentration.
4. Fish
A research revealed that one of the most significant sources of brain enhancement is fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are key for brain health. These healthy fats have incredible brain power: A diet with higher levels of them has been linked to lower dementia and stroke risks and slower mental decline; plus, they may play a vital role in enhancing memory, especially as we get older.
For brain and heart health, eat two servings of fish weekly.
5. Nuts and Chocolates
Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which has been linked in some studies to less cognitive decline as you age. Dark chocolate also has other potent antioxidant properties, and it contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus.
Enjoy up to an ounce a day of nuts and dark chocolate to get all the benefits you need with a minimum of excess calories, fat, or sugar.
6. Avocado and Whole Grain
Every organ in the body depends on blood flow, especially the heart and brain. A diet high in whole grains and fruits like avocados can cut the risk of heart disease and lower bad cholesterol. This reduces your risk of plaque buildup and enhances blood flow, offering a simple, tasty way to fire up brain cells.
Whole grains, like popcorn and whole wheat, also contribute dietary fiber and vitamin E. Though avocados have fat, it’s the good-for-you, monounsaturated fat that helps with healthy blood flow
7. Blueberries
Research in animals shows that blueberries may help protect the brain from the damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Studies also show that diets rich in blueberries improved both the learning and muscle function of aging rats, making them mentally equal to much younger rats.
8. Balanced Diet
It may sound cliché, but it’s true: If your diet lacks essential nutrients, it can hurt your ability to concentrate. Eating too much or too little can also interfere with your focus. A heavy meal may make you feel tired, while too few calories can result in distracting hunger pangs.
Benefit your brain: Strive for a well-balanced diet full of a wide variety of healthy foods.
9. Vitamins and Minerals
Store shelves groan with supplements claiming to boost health. Although many of the reports on the brain-boosting power of supplements like vitamins B, C, E, beta-carotene, and magnesium are promising, a supplement is only useful to people whose diets are lacking in that specific nutrient.
Some researchers are cautiously optimistic about ginseng, ginkgo, and vitamin, mineral, and herb combinations and their impact on the brain, but more proof is still needed.
10. Start Your Day Well
Want to power up your ability to concentrate? Start with a meal of 100% fruit juice, a whole-grain bagel with salmon, and a cup of coffee. In addition to eating a well-balanced meal. It is also advisable to combine this healthy food with good night sleep, exercise, constant hydration, and meditation.
Surprising Reasons You Are Gaining Weight
If you started taking in more calories than usual or cutting back on exercise, you wouldn’t be surprised if the numbers on the scale crept higher. But what if you’re doing everything the same as you always do, and your weight still goes up? It’s time to delve a little deeper into what else might be going on.
There are different reasons for surprising weight gains such as:
1. Lack of Sleep
There are two issues at work with sleep and weight gain. First, if you’re up late, the odds are higher that you’re doing some late-night snacking, which means more calories. The other reason involves what’s going on in your body when you’re sleep-deprived. Changes in hormone levels increase hunger and appetite and also make you feel not as full after eating.
2. Stress
When life’s demands get too intense, our bodies go into survival mode. Cortisol, the “stress hormone,” is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite. And of course, we may reach for high-calorie comfort foods in times of stress as well. This combination is a perfect breeding ground for weight gain.
3. Medications
An unfortunate side effect of some antidepressants is weight gain. Talk to your doctor about making changes to your treatment plan if you think your antidepressant is causing weight gain. But never stop or change your medication on your own. Realize that some people experience weight gain after beginning drug treatment merely because they’re feeling better, which leads to a better appetite. Also, depression itself can cause changes in weight.
4. Steroids
Anti-inflammatory steroid medications like prednisone are notorious for causing weight gain. Fluid retention and increased appetite are the main reasons. Some people may also see a temporary change in where their body holds fat while taking steroids — to places like the face, the belly, or the back of the neck. If you’ve taken steroids for more than a week, don’t stop them abruptly. That can lead to severe Check with your doctor first.
5. Drugs
Several other prescription drugs are linked to weight gain. The list includes antipsychotic drugs (used to treat disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), along with medications to treat migraines, seizures, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Work with your doctor to find a medication that treats your symptoms and lessens side effects.
6. Birth Control Pills
Contrary to popular belief, combination birth control pills (estrogen and progestin) aren’t proven to cause lasting weight gain. It is thought that some women taking the combination pill may experience some weight gain related to fluid retention, but this is usually short-term. If you’re still concerned about possible weight gain, talk to your doctor.
7. Hypothyroidism
If your thyroid (the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) is not making enough thyroid hormone, you’re probably feeling tired, weak, and cold, and gaining weight. Without enough thyroid hormone, your metabolism slows, making weight gain more likely. Even a thyroid functioning at the lower end of the normal range might cause weight gain. Treating hypothyroidism with medication may reverse some of the weight gains.
8. Menopause
Most women do gain some weight around the time of menopause, but hormones probably aren’t the only cause. Aging slows your metabolism, so you burn fewer calories. And changes in lifestyle (such as exercising less) play a role. But where you gain weight may be related to menopause, with fat accumulating around your waist more than your hips and thighs.
9. Cushing Syndrome
Weight gain is a common symptom of Cushing’s syndrome, a condition in which you are exposed to too much of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn causes weight gain and other abnormalities. You can get Cushing’s syndrome if you take steroids for asthma, arthritis, or lupus. It can also happen when your adrenal glands make too much cortisol, or it could be related to a tumor. The weight gain may be most prominent around the face, neck, upper back, or waist.
10. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS)
PCOS is a common hormonal problem in women of childbearing age. Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. The condition leads to hormone imbalances that affect a woman’s menstrual cycle and can lead to extra body hair and acne. Women with this disease are resistant to insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar), so it may cause weight gain. The weight tends to collect around the belly, putting these women at higher risk for heart disease.
11. Abrupt Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. When you quit, you may gain some weight, but perhaps less than you think. On average, people who stop smoking gain less than 10 pounds. You should stop feeling hungrier after several weeks, which will make it easier to help lose any weight you gained.
12. Slow Metabolism
The rate of metabolism can determine how fast you can lose or gain weight. Having a slow metabolism can increase your tendency to gain weight. The best way to boost your metabolism is to have a consistent training routine and a healthy
However, Don’t stop taking any medications without first consulting your doctor. Recognize the importance of the drug you’re taking. It may be critical to your health. Also, something else may be causing you to gain weight. Your doctor can help you figure out what’s going on. Remember that if the weight gain is just from water retention, it’s not permanent weight or fat. Once you’re done taking the drug or your condition is under control, the puffiness from fluid retention may ease. Stick to a lower-sodium diet in the meantime. Don’t compare yourself to other people taking the same drug. Not all people experience the same side effects of the same drug. Even if a drug caused someone else to lose weight, the same might not be true for you.
Learn if the weight gain is a decrease in metabolism from either a medical condition or medication. And if so, take the time to participate in metabolism-raising activities. Get moving.
Getting the best out of our brain and every part of our body involves a proper diet and proper training routine. The type of foods we eat has a lot of effects on how our body functions and works. The best advice given by medical doctors is for you to have a healthy lifestyle and eating habits. It helps in enhancing your cognitive function, preventing unwanted diseases and avoiding unexpected weight gain. Save more money by eating healthy and having an active lifestyle .if you have any unusual symptoms after eating any food or starting a diet or training regimen, contact the nearest doctor.
References
Asp, K. (2017). What’s Best for Your Health Goals: Diet or Exercise?. [online] Real Simple. Available at: https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/diet-or-exercise [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].
HEID, M. (2017). Which One’s More Important: Diet Or Exercise?. [online] Prevention. Available at: https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/diet-vs-exercise [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].
Hoffmann, T. (2017). Eating the Right Foods for Exercise. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise-eating-healthy [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].
Kueppers, P. (2017). What’s more important: Exercise or diet?. [online] HealthySetGo Blog. Available at: https://www.allinahealth.org/HealthySetGo/SingleArticle.aspx?id=36507242407 [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].
Tarlens, D. (2017). Cite a Website – Cite This For Me. [online] Vitals.lifehacker.com. Available at: https://vitals.lifehacker.com/exercise-vs-diet-which-is-more-important-for-weight-l-1677532039 [Accessed 18 Oct. 2017].
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