Productivity is Served: Get More Done When You Eat These Foods

PRODUCTIVITY IS SERVED Get More Done When You Eat These Foods Food plays an important role in productivity. Some foods have been shown to help facilitate mental processes including: The foods we eat enter the blood stream and flow to the brain. Negotiation Focus Thus, they affect the ill way we think, feel, and work. Willpower Most of what we eat gets broken down into glucose Glucose fuels our brains to stay awake and alert. • Foods like pasta, bread, cereal, and soda release glucose to the blood and brain quickly. • We need an adequate amount of glucose for our brains to function properly. • Foods like whole grains, nuts, and vegetables release glucose to the blood more gradually. • High-fat meals provide sustained energy, but require the digestive system to work harder, which reduces oxygen levels in the brain and can make us feel groggy. • When we're running low on glucose, it's harder to stay focused and maintain attention. • That's why it's tough to concentrate on an empty stomach. ZZzz • The brain is highly susceptible to oxidative damage, so foods high in • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), humans can boost brain power antioxidants can by as much as improve brain 20% by eating the health. right ingredients. The MIND diet was developed specifically to improve brain function and reduce dementia • It was inspired by the Mediterranean diet Both of these have been associated with positive effects on cognitive decline. and the blood pressure-lowering DASH diet. • While studies on the MIND diet cannot show cause and effect, people who followed it were 52% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The MIND diet includes these brain-healthy foods: Beans Berries Leafy greens Nuts Olive oil Poultry Seafood Vegetables Whole grains Wine EAT THESE FOODS to Boost Productivity Salmon Sunflower Seeds Salmon contains DHA fatty Sunflower seeds contain the acids which: B vitamin thiamine which: • Protect neurons from injury, reduce inflammation, and • Is important for memory and cognitive function help produce neurotransmitters that tell cells what to do Blueberries Blueberries contain flavonoid anthocyanidins which: Neutralize cellular damage created • Reduc by free radicals and function as memory anti-inflammatory agents to mistakes preserve brain integrity Avocados Eggs Avocados contain the Eggs contain the B vitamin carotenoid lutein which: choline which: • Improves brain • Enhances memory and reaction cognition, spatial working memory, and problem- time approaching efficiency Coffee Coffee contains caffeine which: Improves reaction time and logical reasoning during times when sleep isn't possible or restricted • Enhances consolidation of long-term memories Dark Chocolate Spinach Dark chocolate contains the Spinach contains the antioxidant flavonoids which: carotenoid lutein which: • Increase grey • Can reverse age-related deficits in motor learning and memory Can lead to matter in the a greater brain capacity for Protects neurons from injury memory acquisition, storage, and retrieval Walnuts Carrots Walnuts contain omega-3 Carrots contain the compound luteolin which: fatty acids which: • Can reduce age-related inflammation in the brain • Improve learning and resulting in better brain function Ward off toxins that can kill memory neurons in the brain Are essential for normal brain function Your Productive EATING PLAN Make food decisions before you feel hungry Often, convenience foods are loaded with salt, sugar, fat, and refined carbohydrates. • These items can reduce productivity rather than improve it. Planning meals, and making them ahead of time, can reduce the chances you'll eat convenience foods. Consider grazing • Spikes and drops in blood sugar are bad for productivity. Smaller, more frequent meals can maintain glucose more consistently throughout the day. Keep healthy snacks on hand • Have nuts, seeds, and fruit on your desk or in a desk drawer for when you start to feel hungry but it's not time for a meal. Being proactive can prevent a trip to the vending machine. Productivity isn't just about sleep, to-do lists, and the perfect office environment. The right foods can improve alertness, concentration, memory, and overall brain function. inc.com • businessinsider.com • newsroom.ucla.edu • psychologytoday.com livescience.com ncbi.nlm.nih.gov • scienceline.org • naturalnews.com • fasebj.org • nature.com • umm.edu • hbr.org Designed by Ghergich & Co. com. A small part of your job is 100% of ours.