Our brain is arguably the most important organ we have. It controls bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate, and empowers us through motion, thinking, and feeling. A healthy brain enables you to have a clear mind, concentrate, remember, feel joy, and live life purposefully.   

We don’t often think about the health of our brain unless something goes wrong, such as mild memory loss or if we injure our brain by stroke or concussion. If these things occur, we go in search of how we can make things better or get back to our status quo.   

Good cognitive health is largely influenced by our nutrition. One of the best things that you can do to improve brain function is to eat more unprocessed whole foods, like the ones that are found on the perimeter of the food store.  These foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plain dairy, eggs, meats and fish.  Real foods, like plant-based foods, are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help you sprout new brain cells as you age. 

Studies show that people who eat about one and a half cups of fruit and vegetables a day perform better on cognitive tests than people who do not.  In addition, people who consume large amounts of sugar are more likely to develop mild cognitive decline than those who do not.