These days, it seems like a healthy diet can cure just about anything. And keeping your memory sharp is no exception. Read on to see what experts say about the helpful ways in which coffee, fish and the most important meal of the day can help boost your brain power.
A British study found that drinking coffee improves memory in older people. (Tea doesn't seem to have as strong an effect.) Coffee may also help control blood sugar and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes—which may help protect memory function.
The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon may keep memory strong by protecting the connections between neurons in the brain, according to UCLA researchers. That's one reason experts believe that people who eat a Mediterranean diet seem to have a lower risk of dementia.
Kids who eat a morning meal do better on school tests than those who skip breakfast, according to research from Tufts. For best results, reach for a combo of protein, fiber and whole grains—which you can get in a bowl of oatmeal or cereal with milk topped with berries and/or nuts.