Foods to up your brain activity

What you eat does not simply reflect in your physical health, but also your mental wellbeing.

Certain kinds of food are known to put you off, while some are known to lighten your mood. But not all of them are healthy. While pizza and burger might give you that initial high, they are sure to make you feel sluggish an hour later. So which are the healthy brain foods?

Omega 3

These are required by the body on a daily basis to reduce the symptoms of fatigue, stress and depression. Omega 3 produces neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps in boosting learning and other cognitive functions.

Found in: walnuts, salmon fish, eggs and canola oil Folic acid and vitamin-BThese are essential nutrients for the body to reduce anxiety and insomnia. Foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B contain a key mineral called selenium, which is known to boost mental health by leaps and bounds.

Found in: green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, curry leaves, coriander), chicken, whole-grain products and walnuts

Thiamine and zinc

Deficiency of thiamine and zinc in the body leads to severe mood swings that may result in aggressive behaviour and high blood pressure. Consumption of heavy alcohol aggravates the deficiency. 

Found in: seafood, chick peas, eggs, milk and yoghurt
(The writer is a dietician, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi)