How to be “200 percent more productive if you make the right eating choices”

Today I discovered very interesting article by David Zinczenko the editor –in-chief of Men’s Health magazine. According to him the brain represents only 2 percent of the body weight and 20 percent of the energy demands. That is way when providing your body with the right nutrition will improve memory, “sharpen your senses, improve your performance and activate your feel-good hormones”.

Here it is what Zinczenko recommends:
1. For short-term memory: Drink Coffee
It helps to improve attention and problem-solving skills. However don’t forget that if caffeine is taken more than necessary it can obstruct sleep.

2. For long-term memory: Eat Blueberries
The antioxidants in blueberries help to protect the brain from free-radical damage and cut the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

3. To think faster: eat salmon or mackerel
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fishes are a primary building block of brain tissue, so they’ll speed up your thinking power. Salmon is also rich in niacin, which can help ward off Alzheimer’s disease and slow the rate of cognitive decline.

4. To Energize: eat high –protein salads with vinaigrette
It is very important to understand that using oil in the salads will just slow down the digestion of proteins and carbohydrates, which are responsible for stabilizing blood-sugar levels and therefore keeping energy levels high. The autor recommends as to use vinaigrette instead. Besides we can add more proteins like chicken meet and hard –boiled eggs.

Another ideas is to use a tl spn of ground flaxseed in salads. Although it is recommended to take it daily, because Flax is the best source of alphalinoleic, or ALA—a healthy fat that improves the workings of the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that processes sensory information, including that of pleasure.

5. To calm down: Eat law-fat yogurt or mixed nuts
Yogurt is one of the best food sources of lysine, while nuts pack loads of arginine.

6. To concentrate: Drink peppermint tea
The scent of peppermint helps you focus and boosts performance, according to researchers.

Source article: http://health.yahoo.com/experts/eatthis/31477/best-and-worst-brain-foods/