Nutrition-in-a-Glass For Increased Brainpower

As kids head back to school, there's no better time than now to bone up on what can help them be more bright and alert. Brains need a lot of energy. In fact, the brain uses from 20 to 30 percent of our total energy needs. But the brain can only store a little energy at a time. That's why it's important to eat meals regularly and never skip breakfast.

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day for increasing brainpower. The night long fast means that blood sugar is low in the morning. This can make your child (or you) irritable and less able to concentrate. Numerous studies have shown that a good breakfast helps children perform better in school, compared to those who don't eat breakfast. The British Nutrition Foundation found that eating breakfast could improve a child's problem solving ability, memory, concentration, visual perception, and creative thinking.

What you and your child have for breakfast can make a big difference in mental performance throughout the day. For example, acetylcholine is the most important neurotransmitter for memory and intelligence, and the body makes it from choline, a B vitamin. Studies show that choline has improved memory dramatically in healthy young adults. The nervous system relies on neurotransmitters to communicate messages within the brain, such as those that regulate mood, hunger, and sleep. There is some evidence that choline can improve mental functioning and thought transmission by strengthening neurons in the brain's memory centers. Choline is found in lecithin, egg, brewer's yeast, oatmeal, and orange juice.

Try a brainpower breakfast that's quick and easy. Blend up nutritionist Cherie Calbom's "Brain Power Smoothie" (The Ultimate Smoothie Book), which includes yogurt, orange juice, frozen strawberries, lecithin, vanilla, and ice. And listen up! Research studies have shown that strawberry eaters may have a higher learning capacity and better motor skills than non-strawberry eaters. Or try Cherie's Morning Energizer juice that combines carrots, beet, lemon, and gingerroot (The Juice Lady's Guide to Juicing for Health).

Spinach has been shown to protect the brain from oxidative stress while reducing the risk of suffering from an age-related decline in function. Researchers found that feeding aging rats spinach-rich diets significantly improved their learning capacity and motor skills. You can juice it up with carrot, apple, and lemon for a great afternoon pick me up. In fact, all those ingredients are good sources of potassium. Fatigue and exhaustion, which we often experience in the afternoon, are associated with low potassium levels. That's where fresh juice can make a big difference. Because it's already broken down into an easy-to-digest form, it can be at work in the system in about 30 minutes. That's quick energy that won't let you down unlike caffeine or sugar, which causes spikes in blood sugar and then big dips that often leave you more fatigued than before you swallowed them. Fresh veggie juice on the other hand is very sustaining and doesn't cause the big spikes and dips in blood sugar. Whether you need more energy midday at work, or your child needs energy and brainpower after school for homework, a potassium-rich juice or smoothie can energize not only the brain but also the entire body.

Antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, help protect brain cells from free-radical damage caused by environmental pollution. Try Cherie's antioxidant rich smoothie--the Anti-Aging Smoothie, which blends up orange juice, papaya, blueberries, and ice. Or, juiceup a beta-carotene-rich drink called The Ginger Hopper made with carrots, apple, and gingerroot.

Whether at school or work, we could all use a little brainpower boost. As the saying goes: "You are what you eat. (or drink)." Make your brainpower food nutrient rich with delicious smoothies and fresh juices. And get the kids involved in preparing them; they'll be more excited about drinking them. You'll give the whole family a big brain boost and your children a great start for the school year.

Cherie Calbom, M.S. is the author of sixteen books including the best-selling Juice Lady's Guide to Juicing for Health, Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life, and The Ultimate Smoothie Book . Cherie earned a masters degree in nutrition from Bastyr University, where she serves on the Board of Regents. Known as "The Juice Lady" for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for a decade. Get more free tips at http://juiceladyinfo.com

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