As we age, maintaining cognitive health becomes a major priority. The good news is that the foods we consume can have a significant impact on our brain’s ability to function well and even grow new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. Neuroscientist Dr. Robert Love helps people prevent Alzheimer’s disease through scientific research and practical dietary advice.
He emphasized on social media that the foods you eat provide the raw materials to give your brain what it needs to produce new brain cells. This perspective is particularly encouraging, considering Dr. Elizabeth Gould’s research at Princeton University, which shows that we can grow new brain cells even at 90 years old. Many scientists once believed this was impossible.
Dr. Robert Love highlights the importance of certain foods that are particularly beneficial for cognitive health. By incorporating foods like sardines, sauerkraut, and herring into your diet, you can support brain function, repair damaged cells, and improve overall cognitive performance. Learn more about their benefits below.
1. Sardines
Sardines are packed with essential nutrients for brain health. Sardines are a healthy fatty fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, says Dr. Robert Love. These omega-3 fatty acids are essential because your brain, aside from water, is primarily made up of fats. Consuming healthy fats, like those found in sardines, provides your brain with the materials needed for repair and growth of new brain cells.
2. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut may come as a surprise to many, but it offers significant benefits for brain health through the gut-brain connection. It’s great for your brain. It doesn’t necessarily stimulate the growth of brain cells. What it does is introduce good bacteria into the gut, explains Dr. Love. The gut and brain are connected through the vagus nerve, forming what is known as the gut-brain connection. The bacteria in the gut are very important for brain health, he adds. Incorporating at least a forkful of sauerkraut daily can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn supports cognitive function.
3. Herring
Another fish that Dr. Love warmly recommends is herring. Herring is one of the healthy fatty fish that is small and has low mercury content, he says. Like sardines, herring is rich in healthy fats, providing the raw materials necessary to produce new brain cells.
The foods you consume matter, emphasizes Dr. Love. By providing your brain with the right nutrients, you can support the growth of new brain cells and maintain cognitive health well into old age.
