Blues Empower Mental Acuity
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The blue (and purple) group directly benefits the brain and central nervous system, helping increase memory and focus, and brain health overall. So, you might consider eating some blueberries next time you’re studying for a test, or some plums to help you memorize a speech. I’m even eating them now, as I’m writing this blog…
The compound that is responsible for this increase in mental alertness is anthocyanin, the antioxidant pigment that gives blue foods their indigo color.
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BLUE IS FOR BRAIN EMPOWERMENT.
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Foods in the blue group can also regulate mood, combatting depression and feelings of stress and sleeplessness. And, as anthocyanins are also known for supporting circulation in the body, blue foods have also been found to alleviate soreness, and provide an energy boost.
HERE ARE A FEW BLUE FOODS RICH IN NUTRIENT BENEFITS:
Blackberries, Blueberries, Eggplant, Plums, Purple Cabbage, Purple Grapes, and friends of the family: Black Beans, Avocado, Flax Seeds, Walnuts.
Photo credit: Heather Barnes via Unsplash
Sources and additional reading for the Nature’s Nutrients series (Nature’s Nutrients, Red is for Heart Health, Yellows Fight Inflammation, Orange Boosts your Immunity, Greens Detoxify, and Blues Empower Mental Acuity):
Basu, Arpita, Michael Rhone, and Timothy J Lyons. ”Berries: emerging impact on cardiovascular health.”Nutrition Reviews 68, no. 3: 168–177, (2010). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068482.
”Add color to your diet for good nutrition.” Harvard Health Publishing, July, 2013. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/add-color-to-your-diet-for-good-nutrition.
“Fill up on phytochemicals.” Harvard Health Publishing, February, 2019. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/fill-up-on-phytochemicals.
“Botanical Dietary Supplements.” NIH, June 24, 2011. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/BotanicalBackground-HealthProfessional/.
“12 Healthy Foods High in Antioxidants.” Healthline, March 12, 2018. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-antioxidants.
“The 13 Most Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Can Eat.” Healthline, December 19, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-anti-inflammatory-foods#section5.
“15 Foods That Boost the Immune System.” Healthline, April 30, 2020. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/foods-that-boost-the-immune-system.
“Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever?.” WebMD, May 13, 2019. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/starve-cold-feed-fever#1.
“Nature’s prescription for optimum health.” Nutribullet.