Photo: antonio_monerris / Flickr

Health experts have discovered foods that can prevent cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure, but did you know they’ve also discovered which foods are best for brain power? While there’s no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s, the good news is that eating smart can help keep your brain healthy for years to come. Make sure your diet is brain healthy by including these top three brain boosting foods.

Something fishy

Salmon is so good for your brain it’s practically medicine for the mind. The reason for this: essential fatty acids. The brain is composed of about two-thirds fat, and replenishing the good fats that help the brain work properly can help with your thought processes, help treat depression and mood disorders, and protect the brain from ageing. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are vital for proper brain function. If you can’t get hold of salmon, eat plenty of other fatty coldwater fish like mackerel and herring for brain power.

Berry good for you

The older we get, the harder it is to learn new things. This is because, as we age, the brain becomes inflamed, making it hard for brain cells to communicate with each other. Blackberries are packed with antioxidants that fight inflammation and help your neurons to ‘talk’ to each other, which in turn helps the learning process.

A little java never hurts

Coffee isn’t just good as a pick-me-up when you feel you need a little more energy. It’s also incredibly good for the brain, which is great news for lovers of java. People in their 40s and 50s, according to a recent Finnish study, reduce the odds of developing Alzheimer’s by 65 per cent compared to those who don’t drink coffee. According to the research, it’s the caffeine and powerful antioxidants in coffee that makes it great for brain power. So think again before you throw out that coffee machine in the name of good health.

Tags: coffee, coffee machine, Depression, healthy brain