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.
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