Hello this is your friendly informer:
It's another day and we have been talking about the health of the brain. So did you have your avocado? Since it's Tuesday I thought we share a little more information on brain health. First let us talk about what the brain needs to be healthy. We shared on yesterday a little information, and Food For Thought. Those of you who read the post on Monday know what I'm referring to.
Place two fists together, with your inner wrists touching. Your brain is about this size and shape. It is amazingly soft, composed primarily of fat and water. It is grayish and pudding like, composed of 100 billion brain cells, called neurons, that drive our thinking, learning, feeling and states of being. Neurons need good fats, protein, complex carbohydrates, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and water. These nutrients are used to drive the learning functions of neurons. Neurons are shape somewhat like an outstretched hand, with fingers spread. Dendrites (the fingers) receive information from other neurons, which is then sent through the axon (arm) to another neuron. As neurons connect, they communicate using a process called neurotransmission. As a person thinks, speaks, moves or feels, electrical impulses triggers the release of messengers chemicals, called neurotransmitters, which travel across the synapse, transmitting information to the next cell. This is called cell to cell communication, which forms the basis of learning. NT's help connect verbal, emotional, visual and kinesthetic memories. They connect prior learning to new learning.
Food For Thought: Neurons are prone to damage from environmental toxins that make there way into our systems, as well as toxic byproducts formed in the body. The first line of defense, antioxidants from food. Diets low in antioxidants have consistently been shown to cause and contribute to illness and disease. The brain, due to it's high fat content, is especially vulnerable to damage and requires high levels of antioxidants for protection. What nourishment does the brain need? The blueberry I've learned is a good antioxidant, there also are some other choices in case you are not fond of blueberries such as:
| Rank | Food item | Serving size | Total antioxidant capacity per serving size |
| 1 | Small Red Bean (dried) | Half cup | 13,727 |
| 2 | Wild blueberry | 1 cup | 13,427 |
| 3 | Red kidney bean (dried) | Half cup | 13,259 |
| 4 | Pinto bean | Half cup | 11,864 |
| 5 | Blueberry (cultivated) | 1 cup | 9,019 |
| 6 | Cranberry | 1 cup (whole) | 8,983 |
| 7 | Artichoke (cooked) | 1 cup (hearts) | 7,904 |
| 8 | Blackberry | 1 cup | 7,701 |
| 9 | Prune | Half cup | 7,291 |
| 10 | Raspberry | 1 cup | 6,058 |
| 11 | Strawberry | 1 cup | 5,938 |
| 12 | Red Delicious apple | 1 whole | 5,900 |
| 13 | Granny Smith apple | 1 whole | 5,381 |
| 14 | Pecan | 1 ounce | 5,095 |
| 15 | Sweet cherry | 1 cup | 4,873 |
| 16 | Black plum | 1 whole | 4,844 |
| 17 | Russet potato (cooked) | 1 whole | 4,649 |
| 18 | Black bean (dried) | Half cup | 4,181 |
| 19 | Plum | 1 whole | 4,118 |
| 20 | Gala apple | 1 whole | 3,903 |
Remember to also drink plenty of water, it does the brain good.
So until we speak again have a Tuesday Morning Good Time!
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