Three Brain-Boosting Nutrients

Try these three ways to super-charge your brain:

1. Beets - (RediBeets) - Beets increase nitric oxide, which improves blood flow. Your brain needs good blood flow to function optimally.

A study looked at brain scans of people before and after they drank beet juice. The post-beverage scans showed an increase in circulation to the white matter in the frontal lobes of the brain. This part of the brain is often damaged in people with dementia.

2. Carrots - (Just Carrots) - We all know carrots are good for our eyes. However, carrot juice is also great for your brain. Like other colored vegetables, carrots are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation, which is a factor in brain deterioration.

3. CoCoa - (CoCoa LeafGreens) - A Harvard/Brigham and Women's Hospital study found adults who drank two cups of cocoa every day did better on memory tests than those who did not drink it. The flavanols in cocoa relax blood vessels and help reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for dementia. The antioxidants in cocoa also reduce the damage from free radicals, improving long-term brain health.