#3 Fruits that Protect the Brain: FRUIT-filled Christmas series

Third in the FRUIT-filled Christmas series is about the brain and how fruits help to improve the health of the brain.

It's logical to talk about the brain just after talking about the heart due to the relationship between the two. The brain works when there's excellent blood supply. The blood carries nutrients and oxygen to different parts of the body including the brain. Some people do not know this but the brain uses the most amount of oxygen and glucose and is usually the first to start dying when there's no blood supply.
When there's minimal or no supply of blood to a particular part of the brain, free radicals are released and these free radicals start wrecking havoc on the brain cells. Therefore having an abundance of blood supply and being protected from the effects of free radicals is of paramount importance. There can only be excellent blood supply when the heart is strong and pumping blood to the brain.
There are fruits that are rich in bioactive chemicals that help to protect the brain from actions of free radicals, improve blood supply or prevent the shortage of blood supply by keeping the blood vessels and heart healthy.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin seeds in particular are awesome. They contain different substances that both protects and improves brain function.

They are rich in tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids which means it's part of the building block of proteins in the body. That on its own makes it indispensable. It's also a precursor of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is thought to promote happiness. It is also a precursor of 3-Indolepropionic acid (IPA) which is a strong neuroprotective antioxidant.
Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc which helps improve memory as well as magnesium that helps manage stress. Zinc is involved in nerve signalling and it's deficiency has been implicated in the development of certain neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer's disease. Eating more of pumpkin seed would help replenish these minerals the brain needs.

Pomegranate

I never cared for this fruit maybe because the inside looked like a bunch of small red insect eggs. Shelving that thought aside, you will find out that this is an amazing fruit.

It has serious antioxidant properties. Most of the fruits here have antioxidatant properties and the focus on the brain is due to the fact that the brain is the most susceptible to free radicals.
It's somewhat inconvenient eating the fruit with the numerous tiny seeds. Instead of this you could take the juice instead. It however contains a lot of sugar so you would have to be careful not to go overboard with it.

Avocados

Avocados are really good in helping the heart and brain with good blood flow. They contain monosaturated fatty acids that are also known as good fats. These lower the risks of artherosclerosis thereby reducing the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Avocados however, pack a lot of calories. So it would be wise not to over indulge.

Blackcurrant

When I was a kid, during Christmas, mom would always buy a 5 litre bottle of blackcurrant juice.

The name just sounded weird and I never realized the blackcurrant was a fruit. One that is both delicious and is so important in delivering good amounts of vitamin C. A lot of studies have been done on the effects of vitamin c on the brain as well as other parts of the body. In addition to helping in collagen synthesis, it is thought to help prevent development of neurodegenerative disorders. Some research suggests it may help alleviate stress and anxiety. Whatever the reason is, blackcurrants are just too good not to be enjoyed.

Coconut

Some people think of Hawaii and sipping drinks from coconuts whenever they're mentioned. Coconuts are not only good for being a vessel for serving drinks in Hawaii, they yield oil when processed. Coconut oil has lots of health benefits affecting every part of the body but the focus here will be on the effects on the brain. As earlier mentioned, the brain requires a lot of energy. Coconut oil contains saturated fats which can be broken down to ketones and then sugar in the event that glucose have been depleted in the body. The brain then gets the glucose needed. Coconut oil also has anti-inflammatory effects which is very useful to the brain.

Blueberries

They are small but they are still mighty. Sweet and juicy, blueberries are used on a lot of food products: pancakes, muffins, plain blueberry juice, pie. They contain a lot of vitamin C which is useful to the human body and brain. They also contain a chemical called Gallic acid. This acid has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antifungal and antidiabetic effects. Having a combination of these functions makes it somewhat indispensable however it's non availability in some parts of the world saddens me. If you can get it, just go for it.

Tomatoes

Yes, tomatoes are good for the brain. They contain the largest amounts of the carotenoid, Lycopene. It's a potent antioxidant which is why it's good for the brain. It's antioxidative properties has drawn a lot attention and prompted research into its application in management of cancers. The results however have minimal evidence suggesting they could cure cancer. Still it's antioxidative effects makes it absolutely important.

Lots of people undervalue the health benefits of fruits and I do not understand why this is so. We can try to live better, healthier. Everybody wants to live forever; well, as long as possible but a lot of people are not willing to put in the effort to make that happen. A good diet with a lot fruits, veggies, exercise and a sound mind goes a long way to keep us healthy.

Thanks for reading.

Sources:
Dr Axe
BBC Good food
Livestrong
Healthline
WebMD
Wikipedia