Surprising ways to boost your brainpower
The brain is our number one use-it-or-lose-it organ. Take a look at the following tips to boost your brain power and improve cognition, regardless of your age. Exercise A team from the University of Illinois' Beckman Institute recently reviewed dozens of past studies and found that aerobic exercise boosts not only speed and sharpness of thought but also the volume of brain tissue. As little as 50 minutes of brisk walking 3 times a week was found to have this brain-expanding effect. Brush and floss Studies have found that dental and gum infections were associated with worse cognitive function throughout adult life — not just in later years. To improve memory, floss daily and brush your teeth for 2 minutes at least once a day. Eat blueberries New research shows that the purple-hued fruits may help sharpen your thought processes. The researchers theorise that anthocyanin — the dark blue pigment found in blueberries — is responsible for these cognitive changes; it contains chemicals that may cross the blood-brain barrier and lodge in regions that govern learning and memory. Do puzzles Doing puzzle is a brain-boosting exercise that sharpened mental abilities so much that their brains performed like those of people more than 10 years younger. Whip out a booklet of basic puzzles when you are riding to work on the train or waiting in a long checkout line. As your skills improve, graduate to more challenging brainteasers. Meditate More than just a great stress reliever, meditation can also enhance your brain's gray matter. Make the practice a regular habit — the participants in a recent study meditated an average of 40 minutes a day. But you can start with 15 on your lunch break or before you leave for work. Sit upright, close your eyes, and focus on whatever you are experiencing in the present moment, whether it is birds chirping in the distance or just the sound of your own breathing.
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