Foods to Improve Memory

Eating healthy is one of the best ways to improve your overall health. The foods we eat not only contribute to healthy muscles and bones, but can provide protection against cancer and other illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Individuals who eat less processed foods tend to have better health and less problems with obesity. Choosing foods to improve memory can be challenging until you know what to look for.

• Many foods can help improve memory.

Cruciferous Vegetables

• Cauliflower is a good food to improve memory.

  Cruciferous vegetables are vegetables that are crunchy and full of memory-helping nutrients. These include cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and bock choy. According to Joy Bauer, RN, CDN, these vegetables improve memory. Age-related memory loss can actually be reversed by eating these types of vegetables. In a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School among women with age-related memory loss, it was found that eating cruciferous vegetables helped improve memory tremendously.

Green Leafy Vegetables

• Spinach helps improve memory.

  Another type of vegetable that can help improve memory are green leafy vegetables. According to Joy Bauer, green leafy vegetables include spinach, collard and mustard greens, kale and swiss chard. In the previously mentioned Harvard Medical School study, it was found that green leafy vegetables could improve and even reverse memory problems.

Folic Acid

• Broccoli is a good food to improve memory.

  Eating foods rich in folic acid also helps with memory. Folic acid--also known as foliate--can be found in whole grain cereals, lentils, black beans, soy beans, broccoli and black eyed peas.

Phytochemicals

• Grapes can also help prevent memory loss.

  Phytochemicals are found in fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored. These include berries of almost any kind; red, black and purple grapes; eggplant; red onions; red beets; red and purple cabbage and plums. According to Joy Bauer, phytochemicals help eliminate free radicals found in the blood system and can assist in reversing age-related memory loss. Eating foods rich in phytochemicals can also prevent memory loss.

Fish

• Fish will help improve your memory.

  Another food to improve memory is fish. According to Joy Bauer, the omega 3 oil that is found in fish can help avoid the decline in memory. However, one risk in eating fish is mercury poisoning, which can actually create memory problems. As a result, it is recommended that fish only be consumed two to three times per week and only once per week for pregnant women.