If you want to keep your brain in the best shape possible for as long as possible, prioritizing a healthy diet is crucial. In addition to limiting your intake of processed foods and adding nutritious, antioxidant-rich ingredients to your plate, there are also several beverages you can sip on to protect your brain from age-related diseases, keep your mood uplifted, and even promote a sharper memory.
To discover some of the best drinks out there for your brain health, we spoke to health experts Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, and Dr. David Seitz, MD from Ascendant Detox. They told us that it can be as simple as sipping on green tea and fruit-infused water. Read on to learn more about the benefits of each.
1. Green tea
There are so manybenefits to green tea. It's packed with antioxidants, it could boost your metabolism, and according to Dr. Setiz, it could even help keep your brain healthy.
"Green tea is a power-packed drink that your brain will love. It's loaded with polyphenols, which are plant derivatives with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties," he explains. "They work as your brain's shield, fighting off harmful free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, a key culprit in age-related cognitive decline." Amazing!
In addition to those polyphenols, though, green tea also offers up a healthy amount of L-theanine, which is a mood-boosting amino acid (also known to help with sleep). "L-theanine amps up the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter in your brain responsible for regulating memory, mood, focus, and more," Dr. Seitz says. "Plus, it boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that keep you feeling calm, happy, and relaxed... So, in a nutshell, green tea is a fantastic drink for maintaining brain health." Of course, it's also delicious!
2. Fruit-infused water
Water is great for hydration, which is crucial to your overall health (including cognitive function). Meanwhile, fruit is a great way to incorporate brain-healthy antioxidants into your diet. So, when you combine them, as Richards suggests, you've got yourself a great beverage to promote boosted memory, mood, and more.
"Fruit-infused water offers brain health benefits through its antioxidant-rich composition," she explains. "Fruits like berries, citrus, and herbs contain a variety of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and vitamin C, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, including the brain."
Richards goes on to note that keeping your brain safe from protected from this oxidative stress is one important step in preventing disease. "Oxidative stress contributes to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders," she says. "Antioxidants in infused water help neutralize harmful free radicals, reducing the risk of cellular damage and supporting overall brain function. By regularly consuming antioxidant-rich fruit-infused water, you provide your brain with essential nutrients that contribute to its well-being and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive impairment over time."
The bottom line
Hydration is one of the most important aspects of your wellness, including your brain health. And when you step up your hydration game by choosing antioxidant-rich beverages, you'll make your brain even happier as you age.
Of course, though, there are many other factors that play into your cognitive function and your risk of age-related diseases. It's important to implement other brain-healthy habits into your routine in addition to sipping on these drinks.
