go back
It is undeniable that healthy eating is crucial for a healthy body, but let?s not underestimate its power on the mind. It has been proven that nutrition, more specifically, some dietary factors are responsible for mental function and brain health 1.
Therefore, nutrition plays a fundamental role in brain and cognitive development.
For instance, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports cognitive processes. In fact, its dietary consumption is one of the best-studied interactions between food and brain evolution.
Its most abundant form is DHA. However, the brain has a very low capacity producing it. Therefore, it mainly relies on dietary sources. Main food sources include: Fish (salmon), chia seeds, flax seeds, kiwi, nuts and some growing-up milks.
Moreover, iron is also known to support cognitive function and is mainly present in its heme form in meat, fish, and poultry 2. Also, vitamins such as D, B, and E have positive effects on cognitive impairment and are present in: Fish liver, mushrooms, milk, fatty fish, fortified products, Asparagus, nuts, avocado, peanuts, olives, spinach, and vegetable oils 2.
Dr. Ziad Hashem
Pediatrician Infectious Disease
