In order to improve cognitive function, we must actively
take care of our minds.
The following are five ways to naturally boost memory power that are safe and effective.
1. Drink Less Alcohol: It’s no secret that over consumption of alcohol can greatly damage one’s health.
The toxins present in alcohol can immediately begin to attack and impair different bodily systems as well as different areas of the brain—memory being just one of them. Impaired memory is a common side effect of heavy drinking.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet: It may seem crazy but the foods you eat can impair memory.
If your diet consists mainly of junk foods, you may find that you not only feel bad, but that your memory is often foggy and vague. Nutrition is key to all functions in the body, and the mind.
Of course, eating the right foods is important for overall health and wellbeing, but certain foods are beneficial specifically for improving cognitive functions. Foods rich in B vitamins have been proven to prevent the onset of dementia, heart disease, and even brain shrinkage in older adults.
Fill your diet with these B vitamin rich foods: eggs, milk, leafy greens, nuts, beans, fruits, fish, poultry, and legumes. Foods that are high in antioxidants such as tomatoes, carrots, avocados, berries, and citrus fruits are also known to help prevent memory loss.
3. Take Time to Relax: Ever notice how your mind feels clearer after you take some
time for a nap or a brisk walk? This is because giving yourself time to relax helps your
brain reset itself in the midst of excessive work.
Studies have shown that students who study and then get a good night’s sleep perform better on exams than those who opt to cram all night before. This is because, like any other muscle,
the brain needs rest in between intervals of heavy use. When you allot time for a refreshing break, you’ll find that your recall as well as alertness will improve significantly.
4. Bacopa : This natural medicine is largely used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine
and health care. It is used to help revitalize tired, worn out, or aging brain cells as well as
enhance memory and specific recall. In India, this natural supplement is used regularly to help improve intelligence levels as well as help with mental organization and storage.
Many who use this medicine find that they are able to recall certain information when
needed because they have successfully learned to organize and compartmentalize
their thoughts and important information.
5. Gingko Biloba: While there are many “so called” memory boosters in the supplement
market. However, Ginkgo Biloba shows more promise than others and is widely used
in Europe for patients with dementia that stems from reduced blood flow,
as it believed to improve blood flow in small vessels. According to, Dr. Fugh-Berman, an associate professor in the complementary and alternative medicine Master's program at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, two systematic reviews and meta-analyses has found that this
herb is helpful for dementia in about the same range as conventional prescription
drugs given to Alzheimer's patients.
While it does not help to prevent dementia, it does improve and possibly prevents it from getting worse. Several studies show gingko to be effective in improving mental alertness in healthy people who take it as a supplement.
6. Regular Exercise: That’s right—getting the blood pumping is also an effective way to
get the brain functioning better. This is because proper blood circulation gives
the brain the oxygen it needs to improve common cognitive functions such as alertness, recall, intellect, critical thinking, and comprehension. Simple activities like taking a walk,
Yoga, Pilates, going for a jog, or stretching are all effective ways to improve
memory and overall brain health.
This comes from thescienceofeating.com
