A leading neuroscientist has highlighted the importance of a good breakfast for brain health, recommending four types of cereal that can boost cognitive function. Speaking to The Times, Professor Barbara Sahakian from the University of Cambridge suggested muesli, oat cereal, bran cereal, and biscuit cereal as beneficial choices due to their association with increased grey matter volume in the brain.
She explained that these cereals, rich in grains, were linked to improved neurological cognition and Body Mass Index (BMI). Dismissing those who shun carbohydrates, she emphasised that cereals are “the right kind of carb”, particularly those high in fibre.
Professor Sahakian is not alone in her views; there’s a growing body of research suggesting a link between diet, gut health, and brain health. Neurologist Dr Bing, an expert in brain health, echoed this sentiment on TikTok, stating that while no single food can guarantee cognitive sharpness with age, certain foods can give the brain a significant advantage.
Dr Bing has suggested adding foods like kale, broccoli, spinach and other leafy greens to your diet. These are rich in vitamins K, B12, and E, which he describes as “Think of them as fuel for your brain cells.” Dr Bing also recommends eating foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, and cod, reports Surrey Live.
According to the expert, these are “loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids which have been linked to lower levels of beta amyloid – the protein that forms damaging clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease”. But maintaining a healthy diet is only half the battle.
Regular exercise, especially as we age, is equally important for our neurological health. Recent studies suggest that regular activities like walking, running, swimming, or dancing could help maintain neurological health in individuals over 65.
A study involving 648 healthy participants aged between 65 and 80 found that those with the highest cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) performed best on cognitive tests. The findings, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, underscore the importance of this health factor, according to the Daily Express.
In their study, the researchers highlighted: “These findings highlight CRF as an important health factor for preserving multidomain cognitive functioning in older adulthood. Understanding moderators of this relationship might help to inform the development of individualised exercise prescriptions that target CRF to optimise cognitive health in ageing.”