Brain Foods

Family Education Network breaks down the top brain foods, which can improve your mood, thinking, and mental skills.

Some aren’t surprising (and won’t come as very welcome news to children): broccoli is a great source of vitamin K, which enhances cognitive function. And pinach improves learning capacity and motor skills while slowing down age-related brain function.

But there are a few pleasant surprises for those who don’t get too excited about eating their vegetables:

• Eggs contain choline, which boosts the memory center of the brain.
• Yogurt improves alertness and contains tyrosin, an amino acid that produces dopamine (a neurotransmitter).
• Walnuts contain vitamins E and B6, which are good for the nervous system, and fatty acids that help brain function.

And of course, the kicker: dark chocolate. It contains antioxidants and flavonoids that are great for the brain.

The full slide show is on the Family Education Network Web site. You might also be interested in these posts on our blog about brain-based eating:

• Blueberries on the Brain
• Nutrition and the Brain
• Eating chocolate can improve your math skills