Im a neurologist I eat these 8 foods to keep my brain healthy

What the heart wants, the brain wants too.A nutrient-rich diet is crucial for heart, vascular and brain health, as about 25% of our blood supply goes to our brain.Eating foods high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates — especially ultra-processed fare — can damage blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of impaired brain function, stroke and dementia.It’s important to avoid excessive sugar as well.Too much sugar can harm the brain’s ability to produce adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which provides the energy needed for key cellular processes.It can also cause insulin spikes and disrupt brain metabolism, potentially affecting cognitive function.While cognitive decline may not always be reversible, adopting a brain-healthy diet may slow neurodegeneration and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.Here are eight types of foods I eat every day — or at least every week — to keep my brain healthy.Fresh fish, especially fatty fish, contain omega-3 fatty acids.

These are considered “healthy” fats that possess anti-inflammatory properties.Some brain-healthy fish that I love are salmon, grouper and halibut.Try to get your fish as fresh and as wild as possible.Farm-raised fish often feed on things you wouldn’t want to eat.Leafy greens have lots of fiber, folate, lutein and beta-carotene.Bok choy, asparagus or broccolini that are steamed, blanched or sauteed are easy for dinner — toss with olive oil, a little salt and roasted garlic.

Remember to use salt at the end of cooking. Asparagus doesn’t look leafy, but I love it because it cooks quickly and has loads of fiber.Fiber keeps your gut microbiome happy, which positively influences brain function.Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant related to beta-carotene.

Antioxidants are crucial for brain health because they combat inflammation and oxidative stress, helping to prevent neurodegeneration.I love buying the larger grape tomatoes or mandarin-sized tomato medle...