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Foods That May Help Us
Think and Feel Better
We've all heard the stories
growing up about how some foods are great for memory, eyesight, cancer
prevention or some other function of our bodies. How many of them could be true?
Well, maybe more than we might think.
Foods For Vision:
We might as well start with one of the biggest healthy food stories. For
years, every kid hears about how carrots will improve their eyesight. Is it
really true, though? Well, the short answer is yes, but it's a bit more
complicated than that.
The idea that carrots were good for eyesight was actually popularized by the
British military back in World War II. You see, they had a new radar system
that was top secret and they needed to come up with some fake excuse for
their pilots being so good at spotting enemy ships. They came up with
spreading the rumor that their pilots ate plenty of carrots.
It's not all rumor, though. Carrots do contain Beta Carotene, which is also
known as vitamin A. Vitamin A is very useful for improving vision. In fact
it can both help to prevent some vision problems, like macular degeneration,
and help to improve some existing vision problems. So, the British were
partially right.
The problem is that you would actually have to eat an incredible amount of
carrots, and do so on a regular basis, in order to make a real difference.
That doesn't mean that carrots are bad. It just means that you should also
try to eat some other foods that are high in
vitamin A, Omega 3
fatty acids
and Lutein, which all help to improve vision. Cauliflower, blueberries,
almonds, fish and spinach are just a few of the foods that are good for
improving vision, like carrots.
Bad Foods For Vision:
It's also important to know the bad foods for vision, too. Too many
starchy
or sugar foods can actually damage your eyesight over time. Unfortunately, a
lot of people take the stance that, if they're eating plenty of
healthy
foods, they can still eat the unhealthy ones. It doesn't work that way,
though. If you want to keep your vision at its best, you need to learn to
avoid the bad foods, just as much as you need to learn to eat the good ones.
Foods and Memory:
Scientific studies indicate that there are several substances that can
improve memory. For example,
vitamins B6, B12 and C play huge roles. So do
antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids. As mentioned above, omega 3 fatty
acids are also great for eyesight. So, if you want to kill two birds with
one stone, try eating foods like fish, which is high in
omega 3.
If you don't especially like fish, or just want a bit more variety, you also
have more options for improving your memory. Kale, cantaloupe and
blueberries, for instance, can all improve memory and brain function. Also,
cherries can help to increase blood circulation throughout the body,
including to the brain, which can stimulate your memory. Other foods that
can do the same thing include strawberries and tomatoes.
Foods That May Influence Your Mood:
If you constantly feel tired or upset, at least some of that could have to
do with your diet. Studies show, for example, that many foods can be both
depressing and addictive. For example, alcohol, fried foods,
starches,
sugars and caffeine can all seem like good ideas at the time. After all,
most of them can energize you for a few minutes.
The trouble comes when the high wears off and you suddenly plunge into a low
state of mind. Not only can the tiredness and crankiness of the
crash be no
fun, but you may find yourself feeling like you need more of those bad foods
to be happy again. So, it creates a vicious cycle of improper
nutrition. At
the same time, eating too much of such foods can also cause you
physical
harm, like increasing your risks of heart attacks, strokes or complications
of diabetes.
The opposite side of that is that there are foods that can influence your
mood and your energy levels in a good way. For example, fresh
fruits and
vegetables are full of antioxidants, vitamins and
minerals that can help
keep your energy levels balanced. That, in turn, will help to improve your
mood and give you more energy to do the things that really matter to you.
Potassium For Blood Pressure Control:
Another important way that certain foods can help you is by helping to
control your blood pressure. For example,
bananas are
high in potassium.
That potassium is key to keeping your blood pressure in check and keeping
your risks of heart attacks and strokes lower.
The great thing about bananas is that they're an on the
go food. You can
take them and eat them at work, in the car or almost anywhere you go.
However, if you don't like bananas, all is not lost. Potassium can be found
in other foods, too. A few of them are beans, tomatoes and
orange juice.
Foods and General Health:
It's clear that certain foods have major benefits. However, it's also
important to look at the bigger picture, too. That means having a
balanced
diet, in general. There's nothing wrong with an occasional treat, but it's
important to recognize the implications of eating too much
junk food. It can
get addictive and hazardous to your health. So, the next time you're looking
for a fast snack, you might want to head for the fresh fruits and steer
clear of the chocolate cupcakes.
The Causes of Some Sickness from
Certain Foods
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