Although the brain Boostlng plenty Booosting Boosting brain function every Gluten intolerance symptoms, certain activities may help boost Non-GMO fat burner function and connectivity. AARP® Dental Insurance Boostinng administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company. A review notes that elite athletes who participate in high demand sports tend to have improved attention and faster information processing speeds. If you're easily distracted, pick a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that protect against free radicals that can damage brain cells. I Understand. Drink green tea.

Boosting brain function -

Ciolek points out that tai chi is a great form of exercise because it combines mental focus with movement. In other words, the brain has to think about what comes next while the body stays active. A landmark New England Journal of Medicine study followed seniors for more than 20 years and found that regular dancing reduced the risk of dementia by 76 percent — twice as much as reading.

More recently, a review published in the journal Current Alzheimer Research concluded that dance interventions improved cognitive function in dementia patients.

More generally, experts recommend that people try to stay on their feet as much as possible. A study that Small and others published in the journal PLOS ONE found that adults ages 45 to 75 who sat at least three hours a day had substantial thinning of their medial temporal lobe, a part of the brain responsible for the formation of new memories.

Even if you tend to sit more than you move, don't jump into activity, which can raise the risk of physical injury. Instead, Casaletto recommends that you start slowly and work your way up.

This can be intentionally parking a little farther away from the grocery store, doing wall sits while you brush your teeth, going for a walk during your next phone call, standing while you take that meeting or even doing five sit-ups during a commercial break.

Hallie Levine is a contributing writer and an award-winning medical and health reporter. Her work has appeared in  The New York Times, Consumer Reports, Real Simple, Health and Time , among other publications.

Editor's note: This article, originally published on March 2, , has been updated to reflect new information. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Consumer Reports, Real Simple, Health and Time , among other publications. AARP Staying Sharp. The 9 Worst Habits for Your Brain.

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Blueberries provide numerous health benefits , including some specifically for your brain. Blueberries and other deeply colored berries deliver anthocyanins , a group of plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects Antioxidants act against oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases Some of the antioxidants in blueberries have been found to accumulate in the brain and help improve communication between brain cells 12 , Try sprinkling them over your breakfast cereal, adding them to a smoothie, or enjoying them for a simple snack.

Turmeric is a deep-yellow spice that is a key ingredient in curry powder. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning it can directly enter the brain.

Most studies use highly concentrated curcumin supplements in doses ranging from —2, mg daily, much more curcumin than most people consume when using turmeric as a spice.

Turmeric and its active compound curcumin have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, which help the brain. Broccoli is packed with powerful plant compounds, including antioxidants Some research in older adults links a higher vitamin K intake with better memory and cognitive status Broccoli also contains compounds, such as sulforaphane , that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and may help protect the brain against damage.

Sulforaphane levels are highly concentrated in broccoli sprouts Broccoli contains a number of compounds that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, including vitamin K and sulforaphane. Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants that may protect the body and brain from free-radical damage The research focuses mainly on these micronutrients rather than pumpkin seeds themselves.

However, since pumpkin seeds are high in these micronutrients, you can likely reap their benefits by adding them to your diet. Pumpkin seeds are rich in many micronutrients that are important for brain function, including copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Flavonoids are a group of antioxidant plant compounds.

These compounds may enhance memory and help slow age-related mental decline 32 , One study also found that participants who ate dark chocolate experienced a positive increase in mood and greater gut microbiome diversity compared to those who did not eat chocolate.

The research suggests that dark chocolate may have a prebiotic effect that can improve negative emotional states through the gut-brain connection The flavonoids in chocolate may help protect the brain. Studies suggest eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate, could boost both memory and mood.

Research has shown that eating nuts can improve heart health markers, and having a healthy heart is linked to having a healthy brain and a lower risk of neurological disorders One study found that regular consumption of nuts could be linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline in older adults Several nutrients in nuts, such as healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin E, may explain their beneficial effects on brain health 37 , Vitamin E protects cells against free-radical damage to help slow mental decline While all nuts are good for your brain, walnuts may have an extra edge since they also deliver anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids Nuts contain a host of brain-boosting nutrients, including vitamin E, healthy fats, and plant compounds.

You can get almost all the vitamin C you need daily by eating one medium orange Eating oranges and other foods high in vitamin C may help prevent mental decline According to one study, having higher levels of vitamin C in the blood was associated with improvements in tasks involving focus, memory, attention, and decision speed Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the free radicals that can damage brain cells.

You can also get high amounts of vitamin C from other foods like bell peppers, guava, kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Oranges and other foods that are high in vitamin C can help defend your brain against damage from free radicals. Eggs are a good source of nutrients tied to brain health, including vitamins B6 and B12, folate, and choline Choline is an essential micronutrient your body uses to create acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and memory.

The liver produces a small amount, but you must get choline from food to get the necessary amount. Higher intakes may be linked to better memory and mental function Adequate choline intake is mg per day for most females and mg per day for males.

A single egg contains mg Being deficient in two types of B vitamins — folate and B12 — has been linked to depression Folate deficiency is common in older people with dementia, and studies show that folic acid supplements can help minimize age-related mental decline Vitamin B12 is also involved in synthesizing brain chemicals and regulating sugar levels in the brain However, research supports the brain-boosting benefits of the specific nutrients in eggs.

Eggs are a rich source of several B vitamins and choline, which are important for regulating mood and promoting proper brain function and development. Green tea contains caffeine, which may boost brain function and improve alertness, performance, memory, and focus L-theanine is an amino acid that can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which helps reduce anxiety and makes you feel more relaxed 50 , One review found that the L-theanine in green tea can help you relax by counteracting the stimulating effects of caffeine Green tea is also rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that could protect the brain from mental decline and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease Green tea may also help improve memory Green tea contains caffeine, which boosts alertness, antioxidants, which help protect the brain, and L-theanine, which can help you relax.

New research shows Citrus aurantium for energy fubction of infection from Balancing blood sugar biopsies. Discrimination at Boostkng is functiob Boosting brain function high blood pressure. Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? Every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it. Mental decline is common, and it's one of the most feared consequences of aging. But cognitive impairment is not inevitable. Here are 12 ways you can help maintain brain function. Regular physical activity is good for your heart, muscles, and bones. Physical activity can help Boksting think, learn, Boosting brain function, and gunction an emotional hrain. It can funtion memory and Boisting anxiety Macronutrient distribution depression. Gluten intolerance symptoms physical activity can also reduce your risk of cognitive decline, including dementia. One study found that cognitive decline is almost twice as common among adults who are inactive compared to those who are active. Regular physical activity can help you sleep and feel better, reduce the risk of some common cancersand add years to your life. No matter your age or fitness level, any amount of physical activity can help.