SHOULD YOU EAT PEPPERS RAW OR COOKED?

 You will get the most benefit from peppers if you eat them raw or lightly steamed. If you want, they may be cooked over low heat for a brief period. In a study, grilling green bell peppers for only 7 minutes cut the amount of the cancer-fighting luteolin by 40 percent.

file photo

EATING TO CURB FORGETFULNESS

It happens to all of us. You know, that moment when you walk into a room, stop, look around, then say to yourself, "What did I come in here for?"  Admit it, you know it has happened to you!  According to a 2011 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, munching on celery or green peppers just might help to boost your memory! Both vegetables are high in the plant extract luteolin which may help boost memory.  Scientist found that feeding luteolin to mice helped fight aging in the brain and improved memory.  I'm not sure how much that relates to the human brain but it sure is a simple and healthy way work on improving our memory!

THE BRAIN - USE IT OR LOSE IT!

Did you know our brain is our #1 "use-it-or-lose-it" organ?  So, keep your brain busy; read, work puzzles, do quizzes, etc.  And put the kinds of foods and beverages into your mouth that will help to stimulate the brain.  Following are a few suggestions:

• Brew some coffee.  Would you believe coffee is one of the most stimulating scents to the brain according to research at Kyorin University School of Medicine in Japan.  And a French study of women 65 and older who drank more than 3 cups of coffee a day were 33% less likely to experience decline in verbal fluency than those who drank less.  The experts suggest you brew coffee several times a week even if you don't drink it.
• Eat a power breakfast high in brain-healthy foods.  Example: Add blueberries to a good whole-grain cereal or some low-sugar, fat-free yogurt.  You are probably aware that the antioxidant properties in blueberries are great, but blueberries also increase blood flow to the brain, which in turn improves your neuronal function.
• For lunch eat something high in luteolin as it may contribute to reducing the risk of dementia.    Carrots, celery, green bell peppers, olive oil, along with peppermint and chamomile teas are all good sources.
• For dinner eat a meal rich in Omega-3s.  Fish such as cod, salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna are good sources.  Omega-3 are also found in flaxseed, walnuts, great northern beans, kidney beans, navy beans, and soybeans.

Keep that brain nourished and active.  It is one organ you really do need to protect.  Without an active healthy brain, the rest of the body isn't worth a whole lot.