5 Super Strengthening Nutrients and Vitamins to Encourage Brain Development in Children

Medical and health experts have pushed the importance of a healthy diet to jump-start proper bone and muscle development in children. But while most parents are concerned with replenishing their child with foods that can help him or her grow tall and strong, they tend to forget about encouraging growth of the most powerful organ in their child’s body—the brain.

There are particular foods that can improve your child’s brain development and regulate mood, which can in-turn directly affect their learning capacity and mental performance. These foods, of course, can also simultaneously improve your child’s overall health as well. To learn some of these super foods that can promote retention, mental stability and overall strong healthy bodies, continue reading below.

1. Whole-Grains
Whole-grains, such as whole-wheat breads, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice contain vitamin B and magnesium. These vital nutrients help stimulate proper brain function and repair brain cells. Whole-grains also help boost serotonin, a chemical that naturally helps your child be “happy.” And as experts point out, happier children are more receptive to learning. These nutrients also help keep blood sugar levels regulated, which is important as a shaky blood sugar level can hinder a child’s concentration level which can affect their learning ability. Lastly, whole grains are also conveniently rich in fiber and carbohydrates, the key to long lasting energy and a healthy gastrointestinal track.

2. Protein
Foods that are loaded with protein, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, lentils, beets, and Spirulina Powder not only help build bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and even hair and nails, but also help to naturally create dopamine –a neurotransmitter that is crucial for brain development. Thus it can simultaneously help increase levels of happiness in your child (which like stated above can encourage more effective learning) and it can also improve concentration levels.

3. Antioxidants
Foods high in antioxidants, such as citrus fruits, berries, cherries, spinach and mangoes, are known to help boost immune systems and help your child ward off illnesses such as the common cold and flu. But antioxidants also can work to flush out harmful chemicals called free radicals that can affect your child’s brain and can improve their overall mood, according to the Agricultural Research Service. In fact, the health benefits are long lasting and can even help your child fight dementia once in their old age.

4. Water
Similar to antioxidants, water helps remove free radicals in the body that can get your child sick, but water also helps keep your child hydrated, much more than any other beverage can. And since our brains are made up of 80% water, we need it. Not to mention that dehydration is directly linked to poor energy levels and a lack of concentration. Water also is what helps other nutrients properly transport to the rest of your child’s body. Other water-sources such as coconut water and “watery fruits” such as strawberries and cantaloupe can help replenish your child’s nutrients as well.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables
Lastly, dark leafy cruciferous greens and vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach and turnips are said to boost brain activity and increase retention rate. This is because dark leafy greens are loaded with vitamins B6, B12, and folate—three components that work together to reduce homocystein, an amino acid that can weaken memory. These foods also are rich in iron and calcium, which make bones strong, and contain beta-carotene—a compound that is easily converted to vitamin A, which is needed to promote healthy eyes.

The foods mentioned above can help your child’s brain remain healthy and strong and it’s important that you feed your child a well-balanced diet so that their entire health state—mental and physical—is in tip top shape.