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4 Superfoods for Your Brain

A close-up view of a bowl of kale
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It's simple: What you eat influences how you think. The food you eat may also influence your mood.

That said, it's important to keep in mind that no single food can guarantee brain health. A healthy brain depends on having a healthy body, notes Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Good blood circulation is important, so healthy fats and healthy carbohydrates are a good beginning," he says. Colorful vegetables, tangy fruits, whole-grain breads, eggs, nuts, beans and berries all belong on this list.

Here are four foods that help keep both your brain and your body healthy:

1. Eggs

Egg yolks are packed with choline, a relative of B vitamins that your body uses to make chemicals that affect mood and memory.

2. Black Beans

Whatever their color or shape, beans provide folate, aka vitamin B9. A shortage of folate may contribute to memory loss and forgetfulness.

Check out these foods, recipes, videos and more in our Superfoods to Support the Brain package to help create your own “super-diet.”

3. Berries

Colorful berries may boost mood and decrease the risk of developing depression.

4. Walnuts

Research has found that munching on walnuts may help guard against memory loss and may delay a decline in thinking skills that generally comes with age.

For more delicious foods that are good for your body and brain along with terrific recipes to try, check out 10 Great Superfoods to Support Brain Health.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any expert, professional or specialty advice or recommendations. Readers are urged to consult with their medical providers for all questions.

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