With a little effort, you can be smarter – no matter what your age.
No matter what your age or intelligence level is, you can still train your brain and boost your intelligence by exerting a little effort. How can you help you improve your IQ and get your brain in better shape? Here are some proven ways that you may want to consider.
Mind what you eat. You are what you eat. According to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, children who were given a more health-conscious diet consistently scored better on IQ tests as compared to those who consume large amounts of processed foods on a regular basis. So, eat more natural meats, grains, fruits and vegetables and you will be a lot smarter.
Eat more fish. Research shows that eating fish twice a week can enhance a person’s verbal skills and improve his or her ability to visually perceive objects and the spatial relationships among objects by as much as 10% – thanks to the ample supply of omega 3 and 6 in fish.
Avoid too much sugar. Too much sugar in the diet can affect a person’s ability to learn and retain information, and may even affect a person’s ability to think clearly over time. In addition, huge spikes in insulin levels in the body can hinder the brain’s ability to perform optimally, and may trigger the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, extremely low levels of insulin can result to disorientation.
Live a more active lifestyle. Studies showed that regular physical activity can slow down and even reverse the aging of the brain. So, hit the gym and explore the great outdoors to do your body and your brain a lot of good.
Stay hydrated. You need to drink a lot of liquids since dehydration can cause your brain to shrink. As a result, your brain needs to work harder to complete seemingly simple tasks.
Drink responsibly. A lot of people are aware that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can be good for the heart. But did you know that it can also be good for your brain? Studies show that 29% of people over the age 65 who rarely drank alcohol experienced some form of mental impairment as they grow older while only 19% of those who consume alcohol in small amounts experience the same problem.
Quit smoking. According to the results of a study conducted in the University of Michigan, smokers scored lower in IQ tests as compared to non-smokers. This may be due to the fact that years of tobacco use can dull mental performance and negatively affect a person’s thinking ability.
