memory, if you can remember to eat them. You might notice that many of the foods on this list are red or purple in col- or. That's because the phytochemical that colors them, anthocyanin, is the same phytochemical that's good for your brain. ous studies to do wonderful things for memory and the brain in general. Old rats as young rats on memory tests. Blueberries contain anthocyanin, a known memo- ry-boosting phytochemical. They also con- tain many other phytochemicals that may contribute to healthy brain function. antioxidant that has been shown in recent studies to protect against Alzheimer's flesh, the most quercetin is found in the skin. Red apples also contain anthocyanin in their skins. prevented and even reversed memory loss. This may be due in part to its high folic protective against Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory loss. Just a half-cup of cooked spinach provides two-thirds your daily requirement of folic acid. cetin. Yellow and white on- ions also contain good levels of quercetin. In In- onions have been used as a folk remedy to boost memory for centuries. good source of folic acid. in and folic acid. quercetin and anthocyanin. Red wine also contains good levels of these phytochemi- gate the benefits so keeping consumption to one glass per day may be wise. of anthocyanin. anin. It also contains nasunin, an antioxidant that protects the lipids in nosic acid in rosemary is neuroprotective and may play a role in the preven- rodegenerative brain disorders. One study even found that just the scent of rosemary improved the memories of office workers. idant power, but green tea has also been shown to help reboot your memory. cause they contain a pro- tein component that boosts production of a nerve that are comprised of at least 70-percent cocoa con- tain flavanols that increase a chemical called hydroxyty- rosol that tends to increase messages to the brain and and butter might be a menu plan for protecting your memory. Besides calories, a key contain. Fish, especially salmon and other fat- ty fish, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat. Olive oil contains the highest percentage of monounsaturated fats among common oils. unsaturated fats and may also contain the plant variety of omega-3s. Red meat, but- ter and other foods high in saturated fat--the primary culprit in un- healthy cholesterol levels. be important for protecting your heart. But increasingly scientists are discovering that the right fats can also protect your brain--while too much saturated fat can increase your risk for cognitive impairment. ho t os © sh t e r s t o k |