Brain Foods

Bite-Sized Medicine

Which foods play a role in cognitive function and how can we be sure to eat to protect our brains? We will review the evidence on what foods seem to promote brain function and the understanding behind why they are helpful!

Resources:

1. Geijselaers et al. “Glucose regulation, cognition, and brain MRI in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review.” Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology 2015; 3:75-89.
   
2. Edwards et al. “Short-term consumption of a high-fat diet impairs whole-body efficiency and cognitive function in sedentary men.” The FASEB Journal. March 2011, Vol 25.
   
3. Shinto et al. “A randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha lipoic acid in Alzheimer's disease.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2014;38(1):111-20.
   
4. Resnick. “Iron and mechanisms of emotional behavior.” Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2014;25(11):1101-1107.
   
5. Lomagno et al. “Increasing iron and zinc in pre-menopausal women and its effects on mood and cognition: a systematic review.” Nutrients. 2014 Nov 14;6(11):5117-41.
   
6. Konofal et al. “Iron Deficiency in Children with ADHD.” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2004;158(12):1113-1115.
   
7. Joseph, James A., Barbara Shukitt-Hale, and Lauren M. Willis. "Grape juice, berries, and walnuts affect brain aging and behavior." The Journal of nutrition 2009;139(9): 1813S-1817S.
   
8. Krikorian, Robert, et al. "Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults." Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2010;58(7): 3996-4000.
   
9. Devore, Elizabeth E., et al. "Dietary intakes of berries and flavonoids in relation to cognitive decline." Annals of neurology 2012;72(1): 135-143.