Types of Nuts That are Good for Concentration

The best defense against a lack of concentration should include such things as getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, exercising, meditating and eating a well-balanced diet. The diet should include lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, protein, dairy and good quality fats. The antioxidant power of vitamin E in nuts and seeds has been shown to improve memory and prevent cognitive decline. Eat 1 oz. of healthy fat nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pecans and hazelnuts every day for best brain-boosting benefits.

Pecans

• The pecan is the only nut that grows naturally in North America. It is most commonly found in the southern United States in areas such as Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona and Oklahoma. Pecans are an excellent source of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, similar to olive oil. It is also an excellent source of vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, selenium and fiber. In addition to helping with concentration, the pecan may play a role in the prevention of type-2 diabetes and heart disease.

Walnuts

• Walnuts are the oldest tree food in existence, dating back to Roman times. There are two types of walnuts, the black and the English. The English are the most common in the United States and are grown in California. This nut is high alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid. Omegas-3s are known to reduce inflammation in the body and aid in mental clarity. Walnuts also contain high levels of potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin E, which may prevent such things as dementia and heart disease.

Hazelnuts

• There are 100 varieties of hazelnuts throughout the world. This nut is mainly grown in Oregon and is considered to be one of the highest sources of antioxidants. This powerful antioxidant may prevent the onset of dementia and cancer and may aid in lowering blood pressure. Hazelnuts provide 12 percent of the daily allowance of protein and 35 percent of vitamin E making it a good brain food. This nut also has more magnesium in it than in oatmeal or spinach, and is considered one of the lower fat nuts.

Almonds

• Almonds are mainly grown in California. This nut dates back to Egyptian times and is considered a stone fruit, related to cherries, plums and peaches. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat and magnesium, and are a good source of B vitamins and minerals which supports brain function. This nut comes in a variety of forms such as milk, butter, flour and can be used in a variety of ways such as baking, as a spread or added to cereals, salads or oatmeal.