Produce Aisle “Prescription” Boosts Brain Power

I would never recommend following a strict vegetarian diet… but that doesn’t mean I think plants are pointless.

In fact, it’s the opposite. Eating seasonal produce provides your body with a wealth of VITAL nutrients at the precise time it needs them most.

Now, research reveals that one potent plant chemical, in particular, can give your BRAIN a big boost as well—ultimately supporting a better memory.

Flavanols are a class of plant chemicals found in various foods, including grapes, ginger, green tea, onions, and nuts.

These potent compounds already have a wealth of research backing up their antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have also uncovered various other benefits, including immune system support, toxin removal, and weight management.

But it turns out these specialized plant compounds are ALSO fantastic for your brain.

In a study of over 3,500 volunteers, half received a flavanol supplement and half a placebo.

After three years, researchers found that the folks taking the flavanols experienced remarkable improvements in their memory compared to those on the placebo.

The memory boost was especially noticeable in the participants with the worst diets—or those who ate an “average” American diet.

This is significant for TWO reasons…

• First, poor diets contribute to impaired memory and learning.
• Second, flavanols can help reclaim the brain power that a poor diet diminishes.

Researchers say flavanols’ ability to boost blood flow to the brain is behind their memory-enhancing benefits. This increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to critical brain cells.

The new study supports earlier research showing that folks with the highest flavanol intake have less memory and thinking problems than their peers who don’t get many flavanols.

I prefer to get my flavanols from REAL food, but if you feel your brain needs an extra boost, adding a flavanol supplement to your routine could be just the ticket to kickstart your memory.

P.S. Enhance memory and learning with this brain-friendly spice. (It’s DELICIOUS!)

SOURCE:

Brickman, A. M., Yeung, L., Alschuler, D. M., et al., (2023). Dietary flavanols restore hippocampal-dependent memory in older adults with lower diet quality and lower habitual flavanol consumption. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(23), e2216932120. [doi .org /10. 1073/pnas. 2216932120]