Mental Sharpness

• As people age, brain functioning often declines. Whereas scientist once thought that this decline was caused by loss of brain cells, now they are reconsidering. It seems that communication between existing brain cells is key to cognitive functioning. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine facilitate this communication. Foods that are high in antioxidants may protect the brain by producing higher levels of neurotransmitters. These foods include fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, spinach, and blueberries.
  
  

Battling Brain Plaque

• Some individuals can develop a type of neural plaque that builds up and inhibits communication within the brain. This condition is most often seen in Alzheimer's disease. In one study, a group of mice that possessed "plaqued" brains were fed a blueberry diet and tested cognitively. These mice performed similar to mice with healthy brains, whereas mice with plaqued brains that were fed regular rat chow did not perform as well. The mice that were fed blueberries had higher levels of enzymes known as kinases, which help to convert short-term memory into long-term memory. The implications of the study are that blueberries and similar foods may help to ward off certain brain ailments, similar to those experienced by individuals with Alzheimer's.
  
  

Cell Repair and Production

• Contrary to previous thought, the brain may be capable of producing new cells even in old age. More studies involving rats showed that foods high in antioxidants helped to promote new cell production and increased cell repair within the brain. Microglia are cells in the brain that work to repair damage and to protect brain tissue. These cells function more efficiently in the presence of a diet rich in foods with a high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC). ORAC is a way to partly measure the effects of antioxidants. The following foods have high ORAC levels: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, black plums, sweet cherries, avocados, navel oranges, red grapes, artichokes, pecans, walnuts, asparagus, cabbage, spinach and potatoes.
  
  

Membrane Health

• The membranes of cells within the brain must be healthy in order for the brain to function efficiently. This outer membrane is a fatty type of structure that is enhanced by omega-3 fatty acids. Foods rich in these fatty acids are fish, walnut oil and canola oil. Choline is a substance found in fatty B vitamins that improves memory, reaction time and resistance to fatigue. Foods containing choline include soybeans, soybean products, egg yolks and peanuts.