Superfood For The Brain

Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are already known to be heart healthy. Now, researchers say these foods may offer long-lasting memory benefits too.

If your diet is short on omega-3 fatty acids, most commonly found in fatty fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel, you may be at risk for faster brain aging. You may also be more susceptible to a loss of memory and thinking abilities, according to a recent study in the journal Neurology.

Researchers looked at MRI brain scans of 1,575 adults, average age 67, who were free of dementia. The adults were measured for their mental function, body mass and omega-3 fatty acid levels in their red blood cells. Those whose omega-3 fatty acid levels were in the bottom 25 percent scored lower on tests of visual memory, problem solving, multitasking and abstract thinking.