Tom Brady, who in a recent interview called out Coca-Cola and Frosted Flakes as "Poison."

Tom Brady Steps up As Role Model for Youths and Athletes, Speaking Out Against Junk Food Industry

November 03, 2015 | 

By Dr. Mercola

If you've paid attention to the news lately, you're probably aware of the shockwaves caused by four-time Super Bowl champion and all-star quarterback Tom Brady, who in a recent interview called out Coca-Cola and Frosted Flakes as "poison."

As noted by the Organic Consumers Association,1 "Brady may have just done more good for kids, and more damage to Big Food, than we could accomplish in months."

Brady Speaks Out Against Food Industry Brainwashing

Brady's interview2 with Massachusetts radio station WEEI revolved around his win over the Cowboys, but then they began discussing the recent Boston Magazine  story3 on his body coach and business partner Alex Guerrero.

In 2004, Guerrero was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission for claiming his Supreme Greens could effectively treat everything from diabetesand obesity to cancer and AIDS. Brady defended Guerrero, with whom he started the TB12 Sports Therapy Center,4 and then launched into his views on processed junk food and soda, saying:

"I think we've been lied to by a lot of food cos over the years, by a lot of beverage co over the years. But we still [believe] it... We believe that Frosted Flakes is a food...

You'll probably go out and drink Coca-Cola and think 'Oh yeah, that's no problem.' Why? Because they pay lots of money for advertisements to think that you should drink Coca-Cola for a living...

I totally disagree with that. And when people do that, I think that's quackery. And the fact that they can sell that to kids? I mean, that's poison for kids...

When you go to the Super Bowl, who are the sponsors? That's the education that we get. That's what we get brainwashed to believe; that all these things are just normal food groups, and this is what you should eat."

Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure...

Brady also expresses his views on preventive and holistic medicine, saying:

"Our approach to medicine is, let's wait until you get sick. Wait until you get hurt, and then we'll treat you. Well, how about trying to find ways to prevent that from even happening?

I think it's a much better approach to medicine... Now you guys may think I'm full of crap, but I'm the proof, what you see on the field."

Indeed, Brady blew out his knee in 2008, and claims the only thing that saved his career were the holistic health strategies taught by Guerrero. According to Brady:

"I had doctors with the highest and best education in our country tell me that I wouldn't be able to play football again, that I would need multiple surgeries on my knee for my staph infection, that I would need a new ALC, a new MCL, and that I wouldn't be able to play with my kids when I'm older.

Of course, I go back the next year and we win Comeback Player of the Year. I follow the next season and we win the MVP of the year... I've chosen a different approach, and that's what I'm providing to other athletes."

Do Processed Foods and Sodas Have a Place in a Balanced Lifestyle?

Brady's comments, which made headlines in The Wall Street Journal,5 Forbes,6Time Magazine,7 The Washington Post,8 People magazine,9 and many other news outlets,10 come at a time when companies like Kellogg, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi11,12 are all struggling to prop up sagging sales.

This year, Coca-Cola reported a five percent drop in revenue for the third quarter, and over the past six months, Kellogg insiders have sold more than 60 percent of their shares in the company,13 signaling that Kellogg's stock prices may soon go into freefall.

Coca-Cola Fails Miserably in Rebutting Brady

The power of a star athlete's word is clearly evidenced in the lightning fast response by the industry. Coca-Cola responded to Brady's comments with a statement saying:14

"All of our beverages are safe and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle. We offer more than 200 low and no-calorie beverages in the U.S. and Canada and a wide variety of smaller portion sizes of our regular drinks.

As a responsible beverage provider and marketer, we prominently provide calorie and sugar information for our beverages so people can choose what makes sense for them and their families."

If you think about it, you will realize that when they say their soda can be "enjoyed" as "part of a balanced lifestyle," what they're really saying is that as long as you're eating healthy stuff, drinking their sugary junk, which has zero health benefits, is not going to do you a significant amount of harm.

That's what they mean when they refer to "balance," because when it comes to real foods, maintaining "balance" is not really an issue. When you eat REAL FOOD, all of it is good and beneficial. You don't have to monitor your ratio of broccoli to Brussel sprouts, or worry about whether you're balancing your water intake with some other beverage.

The "balance" the junk food industry talks about is the balance between harmful foods and healthy foods. But does THAT kind of balance really make for an overall healthy lifestyle? Hardly! You do not need soda. Ever. Nor do you need Frosted Flakes to stay healthy. So why should they even be considered as acceptable parts of a healthy diet?

Food either supports health, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, it shouldn't be construed as an acceptable part of a healthy diet. It should be accurately portrayed as a junk food to be consumed as little as possible, if ever. My recent interview with Marion Nestle about her new book, Soda Politics, goes into extensive details on how the soda industry seriously manipulates and distorts the truth.

Most Breakfast Cereals Are Junk Food

Most cereals are junk food. If you eat Frosted Flakes every morning, you're mostly getting glyphosate-laden genetically engineered corn and a seriously unhealthy dose of sugar. Even if you get some iron and B vitamins along with it, it simply cannot make up for these downsides. As noted by the OCA:15 "Kellogg's spokesperson, Kris Charles told Time magazine:

Cereal is a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Numerous studies show that a cereal breakfast is associated with lower BMIs (body mass index) in both children and adults. As a matter of fact, a serving of Frosted Flakes with skim milk has just 150 calories and delivers valuable nutrients including calcium, B vitamins, and iron.

... I suspended my boycott of Big Grocery Stores long enough to check out the ingredients panel.16 It says: Milled corn, sugar, contains 2 percent or less of malt flavor, salt, and BHT for freshness. No mention that the corn is genetically engineered — because Kellogg's also has spent millions to hide that information from consumers. And no excuses for the fact that the second ingredient is sugar. A serving of Frosted Flakes may only be 150 calories — but they're mostly empty calories."

Virtually all breakfast cereals share this problem; they tend to be very high in sugar. They're also highly processed, and contain a number of added nutrients like vitamins and minerals — but usually the synthetic kind, which in some instances do more harm than good. And, as noted in an Authority Nutrition17 review on breakfast cereals, just because a cereal contains enough whole grains to allow them to advertise it on the box does not make it a health food. Most are still an exceptionally poor source of fiber.

Meet Science Teacher John Cisna — the Antithesis to Tom Brady

Meanwhile, in Iowa, former science teacher John Cisna has raised the ire of public health advocates for traveling around the country giving talks to students about how he lost 60 pounds on a six-month long McDonald's only diet. Last year, Cisna published a book on his diet experiment, after which McDonald's hired him as a "brand ambassador." McDonalds's admits paying him a stipend for time and travel expenses, but a company spokesperson refused to disclose the amount. So far, Cisna has given his McDonald's diet talk at about 90 high schools and colleges.

As reported by Reuters:18

"... [H]is program includes a 20-minute documentary '540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference' and a teachers discussion guide, both of which were edited by McDonald's... 'John's story is not a weight loss plan, and we do not recommend that anyone eat every meal at one restaurant every day for an extended period,' said [McDonald's spokeswoman] McComb. 'While the decision on how schools choose to educate and inform their students is up to them, we support John's desire as a teacher to provide students with facts to make informed choices.'"

One of the first people to draw public attention to Cisna's talks was former lawyer Bettina Elias Siegel, who noted: "This is really beyond the pale in terms of its aggressive marketing to kids." And clearly, Cisna's demonstration has the potential to veer young people off course. The diet revolved around maintaining a strict daily calorie limit while eating only McDonald's fare. According to Cisna's documentary, "careful planning" allowed him to eat French fries nearly every day.

The problem with this approach is that while general calorie restriction may work for weight loss if you're used to consuming much higher amounts of calories, it also makes nutrient composition of the food more important than before. Eating trans-fat laden French fries and GMO-grain-fed burger meat with non-decaying synthetic chemical buns every day is NOT going to improve your overall health.

To suggest that you can lose weight on a "restricted calorie Micky-D diet" is truly a questionable move for anyone who cares about the future of our youth, and it really demonstrates the depth of nutritional ignorance that exists even among educated grownups.

FTC Refuses to Probe Deceptive Marketing of 'Diet' Foods

Sadly, most of our government agencies promote these false views, and this was again demonstrated by the FTC's refusal to look into the deceptive and misleading use of "diet" on artificially sweetened foods and beverages. False advertising is prohibited by federal law, and the term "diet" is only permitted on brands or labels when it is not false or misleading.

In light of the overwhelming scientific evidence showing that artificial sweeteners actually raise your risk of obesity rather than combat it, the consumer group US Right to Know filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), asking them to investigate Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo. Inc., and other companies for false advertising.19, 20,21,22

The group also filed a citizen petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),23, 24 asking the agency to issue warning letters to Coca-Cola and Pepsi, concluding that the beverages are misbranded because the use of the term "diet" is false and misleading. For example, this past summer Coca-Cola Company announced25 that its number one "global commitment to fighting obesity" is to "offer low- or no- calorie beverage options in every market."

If artificially sweetened beverages promote obesity rather than fight it — which research clearly indicates it does — then Coca-Cola's commitment is anything but helpful. Nor is it supported by science.

The FTC petition was filed in April of this year, and according to a report by McClatchy DC,26 the FTC has rejected the call for an investigation, citing "factors related to resource allocation and enforcement priorities... the nature of any FTC Act violation and the type and severity of any consumer injury" as causes for the rejection. The FDA, meanwhile, is stalling, saying it needs more time to consider the complaint. This is a travesty, and the message the FTC sends is that you and your child's health is nowhere near as important as the corporate "right" to trick you into buying their wares under false pretenses.

We Need to Become Better Role Models for Our Kids

Since 1999, severe obesity has increased among children.27 In New York City, one in five kindergarteners is obese,28 and processed food, fast food, and sugary beverages are the primary culprits behind this trend. Besides obesity, a poor diet also makes kids less academically competitive. In one study, fifth-graders who ate fast food four or more times a week showed 20 percent lower test score gains by the eighth grade.

As Tom Brady points out, eating real food and taking a holistic, preventive approach to health and wellness is also key for peak athletic performance, and I congratulate him on having the courage to be so outspoken about it. He's the kind of role model kids need these days — role models who are not confused about what's healthy and what's not, and who don't send mixed signals by saying they stand for health and athleticism while promoting soda and processed junk food.

That said, parents are the number one role model in a child's life, and the foods you buy and serve speak volumes on a daily basis. The foods you leave out in plain sight just might influence your child's choice of snacks more than you think too. Recent research actually shows you can estimate a person's weight based on the types of ready-to-eat foods they leave out on their kitchen countertops. As reported by the Epoch Times:29

"The study30 looked at photographs of more than 200 kitchens in Syracuse, New York, to test how the food environment relates to the body mass index (BMI) of the adults at home. The women in the study who kept fresh fruit out in the open tended to be a normal weight compared with their peers.

But when snacks like cereals and sodas were readily accessible, those people were heavier than their neighbors — by an average of more than 20 pounds.  'It's your basic See-Food Diet — you eat what you see,' says Brian Wansink, professor and director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and lead author of the paper in the journalHealth Education and Behavior."

While those who kept sodas within easy reach weighed an average of 24 to 26 pounds more than those who didn't, those who kept breakfast cereal on their counters were right up there too, weighing an average of 20 pounds more than those who didn't have cereal in their counter. While this study certainly isn't an example of rigorous science showing that cereal makes you fat, it's still an interesting observation that falls right in line with what we said earlier — most cereals are chockfull of sugar, and that will make you pack on pounds every day of the week.

To Protect Our Children, We Must Teach Them Proper Nutrition

You have the simultaneous opportunity and responsibility for teaching your child what "real food" is — particularly if his or her school is setting the opposite example. Focus on eating a variety of locally sourced, organic whole foods, and consume a large percentage of them raw. Avoid refined sugar, especially high-fructose corn syrup and other processed forms of fructose, sodas, pre-packaged foods, and sports drinks.

Make sure your child gets ample healthy fats, such as coconut oil, raw grass-fed butter, raw nuts, avocados, etc. Also introduce your child to naturally fermented foods, which should become a permanent part of his diet, and teach them about the concept of fresh water as a primary beverage, as opposed to sodas and other commercial drinks.

Limit your child's indoor time, especially in front of the TV, computer, and other electronic devices. Overweight and obese children need at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Encourage your kids to play outside — and don't be afraid of the dirt! Playing outside has the additional benefit of sun exposure to optimize vitamin D levels.

10 of the Most Nutrient Dense Foods in the World That Help Fight Cancer

10 of the Most Nutrient Dense Foods in the World That Help Fight Cancer NEW

At the age of 32, Elissa Goodman was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

At that moment she recalled her teenage years tagging along with her chronically ill mother to a health ranch in Rancho La Puerta, Mexico, where she witnessed her mother and other women eschew traditional medicine in favor of a holistic approach centered around fresh, nutritious foods. Her mother was able to wean herself off of medication, so, facing her own health crises, Goodman committed to changing her diet to emphasize plant-based foods.

Six months later, she was cancer-free.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

“In India, where Turmeric is widely used in the diet, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers—colon, breast, prostate and lung—is 10 times lower,” says Goodman. 

Many people like Goodman—who has dedicated her life to nutrition and healthy living—believe that focusing on nutrition rather than relying entirely on conventional cancer treatments could make all the difference in fighting the disease. “One of the most basic and most powerful ways to reduce the risk of cancer is through diet and lifestyle,” says Laura Kraber, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who works with Dr. Frank Lipman. And this isn’t fringe science: According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), a diet rich in plant-based foods vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans can help prevent the onset of cancer.

While there’s no definitive answer to whether or not any food could directly prevent or treat cancer, there are some things we know for sure. Cancer cells thrive on sugar and high insulin levels can also increase inflammatory responses in the body, which are a factor in the onset of cancer. Processed meat that contains nitrates can cause inflammation as well.

The idea behind an anti-cancer diet is to strengthen the immune system and address chronic inflammatory symptoms. According to Goodman and the American Institute for Cancer Research, here are some beneficial foods to embrace:

10 Foods That Help Fight Cancer

1. Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale, arugula, romaine, collard greens, Swiss chard—they all have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to the AICR, carotenoids found in these veggies can inhibit the growth of certain breast and skin cancer cells.

2. Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rapini, cabbage and turnips are high in B vitamins and magnesium, as well as polyphenols, which can slow the growth of cancer cells. And since excess body fat can increase the risk of several types of cancer, the dietary fiber in these non-starchy vegetables can help—particularly with cancer in the mouth, pharynx and larynx, esophagus and stomach.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

3. Turmeric

“In India, where turmeric is widely used in the diet, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers—colon, breast, prostate and lung—is 10 times lower,” says Goodman. The active substance in turmeric is curcumin, which can decrease inflammation and help the body detect and destroy mutated cells.

4. Ginger

According to Goodman, whole ginger extract can inhibit growth of certain cancer cells by interrupting their cell-cycle progression, impairing cancer reproduction.

5. Reishi Mushroom

“This powerful medicinal mushroom has been researched for its ability to prevent cancer cell growth, stop tumor and cancer from metastasizing, [and] build immune strength and immune response against advanced stage cancers,” says Goodman.

6. Fermented Foods

Probiotics like sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha and tempeh welcome beneficial microflora into the gut and regulate its pH balance, as well as maintain health of the digestive tract. Goodman adds, “the natural lactic acid and fermentative enzymes, which are produced during the fermentation process, have a beneficial effect on the metabolism and a curative effect on diseases like cancer.”

7. Allium

Photo credit: Shutterstock

8. Flaxseed

The high concentration of the omega-3 fat, alpha-linolenic acid, eases inflammation. Flaxseeds are also a potent source of magnesium, manganese, thiamin and dietary fiber.

9. Grapes

A polyphenol called resveratrol, abundant in the skin of grapes, has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. AICR lab studies found that resveratrol could inhibit cancer and tumor growth in lymph nodes, the liver, stomach and breasts. It’s also been able to kill tumors from leukemia and colon cancer.

10. Soy

It sounds counterintuitive—after all, high estrogen, which is found in soy, is linked to breast cancer risk. But human studies backed by the AICR show that soy actually doesn’t increase the odds of developing this disease. The dietary fiber can in fact contribute to cancer prevention. To avoid GMO soy, go organic every time.

A healthy diet will go a long way, but cancer is no joke. As Kraber says, “Although alternative treatments and protocols do exist, radiation and chemotherapy are the most successful cancer treatments that medicine currently has to offer.”

So consider these nutritious foods as a way to boost the cancer treatment that’s right for you, but obviously consult a doctor when it comes to making a life-changing choices about how best to fight the disease.

12 Proven Benefits of Pomegranate. A MUST read !

12 Proven Benefits of Pomegranate (All Impressive!) NEW

Support Local Food! Please Share...They contain a range of beneficial plant compounds, unrivaled by other foods.

Pomegranates are among the healthiest fruits on earth.

Many studies have shown that they have incredible benefits for your body, and may lower the risk of all sorts of diseases (1).

Here are 12 health benefits of pomegranates, that are supported by modern scientific research.

1. Pomegranates Are Loaded With Important Nutrients

The pomegranate, or Punica granatum, is a shrub that produces a red fruit (1).

Categorized as a berry, the pomegranate fruit is about 5-12 cm (2-5 inches) in diameter.

It is red, round and looks kind of like a red apple with a flower-shaped stem.

The skin of the pomegranate is thick and inedible, but there are hundreds of edible seeds called arils within.

The arils are what people eat, either raw or processed into pomegranate juice.

This is what pomegranates look like:

Pomegranates have an impressive nutrient profile:

One cup of arils (174 grams) contains (2):

• Fiber: 7 grams.
• Protein: 3 grams.
• Vitamin C: 30% of the RDA.
• Vitamin K: 36% of the RDA.
• Folate: 16% of the RDA.
• Potassium: 12% of the RDA.

The pomegranate arils (seeds) are also very sweet, with one cup containing 24 grams of sugar, and 144 calories.

However, where pomegranates really shine is in their content of powerful plant compounds, some of which have potent medicinal properties.

Bottom Line: The pomegranate is a fruit that contains hundreds of edible seeds called arils.

They are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive plant compounds, but they also contain some sugar.

2. Pomegranates Contain Two Plant Compounds With Powerful Medicinal Properties

There are two unique substances in pomegranates that are responsible for most of their health benefits.

Punicalagins

Punicalagins are extremely powerful antioxidants found in the juice and peel of a pomegranate.

They are so powerful that pomegranate juice has been found to have three times the antioxidant activity of red wine and green tea (3).

Pomegranate extract and powder is typically made from the peel, due to its high antioxidant and punicalagin content.

Punicic Acid

Punicic acid, also known as pomegranate seed oil, is the main fatty acid in the arils.

It is a type of conjugated linoleic acid with potent biological effects.

Bottom Line: Pomegranates contain punicalagins and punicic acid, unique substances that are responsible for most of their health benefits.

3. Pomegranate Has Impressive Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Chronic inflammation is among the leading drivers of many killer diseases.

This includes heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and even obesity.

Pomegranate has potent anti-inflammatory properties, which are largely mediated by the antioxidant properties of the punicalagins.

Test tube studies have shown that it can reduce inflammatory activity in the digestive tract, as well as in breast cancer and colon cancer cells (4, 5, 6).

One study in diabetics found that 250 ml of pomegranate juice per day for 12 weeks lowered the inflammatory markers CRP and interleukin-6 by 32% and 30%, respectively (7).

Bottom Line: The punicalagins in pomegranate juice have been shown to reduce inflammation, one of the leading drivers of many killer diseases.

4. Pomegranate May Help Fight Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men.

Laboratory studies have shown that pomegranate extract can slow down cancer cell reproduction, and even induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells (8, 9).

The PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a blood marker for prostate cancer.

Men whose PSA levels double in a short period of time are at increased risk of death from prostate cancer.

Interestingly, a human study found that 237 ml (8 oz) of pomegranate juice per day increased the PSA doubling time from 15 months to 54 months, which is huge (10).

A follow-up study found similar improvements using a type of pomegranate extract called POMx (11).

Bottom Line: There is preliminary evidence that pomegranate juice can be useful in men with prostate cancer, potentially inhibiting cancer growth and lowering the risk of death.

5. Pomegranate May Also be Useful Against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women.

Pomegranate extract has been shown to inhibit reproduction of breast cancer cells, and may even kill some of them (12, 13, 14).

However, this is currently limited to laboratory studies. More research is needed.

Bottom Line: Laboratory studies have shown that pomegranate extract can help fight breast cancer cells, but human studies are needed to confirm this.

6. Pomegranate May Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the leading drivers of heart attacks and strokes.

In one study, people with high blood pressure had a significant reduction after consuming 150 ml (5 oz) of pomegranate juice daily for 2 weeks (15).

Other studies have found similar effects, especially for systolic blood pressure (the higher number in a blood pressure reading) (16, 17).

Bottom Line: Regular intake of pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure levels in as little as 2 weeks.

7. Pomegranate May Help Fight Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries.

There are many different types, but most of them involve some form of inflammation in the joints.

Given that the plant compounds in pomegranate have anti-inflammatory effects, it makes sense that they could help treat arthritis.

Interestingly, laboratory studies have shown that pomegranate extract can block enzymes that are known to damage joints in people with osteoarthritis (18, 19).

It has also been shown to be beneficial against arthritis in mice, but there is very little evidence in humans so far (20, 21).

Bottom Line: Studies in animals and isolated cells have shown that pomegranate extract may be beneficial against several forms of arthritis, but human research is needed.

8. Pomegranate Juice May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease is currently the world’s most common cause of premature death (22).

It is a complicated disease, driven by many different factors.

Punicic acid, the main fatty acid in pomegranate, may help protect against several steps in the heart disease process.

In a study in 51 people with high cholesterol and triglycerides, 800 milligrams of pomegranate seed oil per day for 4 weeks was shown to significantly lower triglycerides and improve the triglyceride:HDL ratio (23).

Another study looked at the effects of pomegranate juice in people with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. They noted significant reductions in LDL cholesterol, as well as other improvements (24).

Pomegranate juice has also been shown, in both animal and human studies, to protect the LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, one of the key steps in the pathway towards heart disease (25, 26, 27, 28).

Bottom Line: Several human studies have shown that pomegranate can have benefits against heart disease. It improves the cholesterol profile and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage.

9. Pomegranate Juice May Help Treat Erectile Dysfunction

Oxidative damage can impair blood flow in all areas of the body, including erectile tissue.

Pomegranate juice has been shown to be beneficial in increasing blood flow and erectile response in rabbits (29).

In a study of 53 men with erectile dysfunction, pomegranate appeared to have some benefit, but it was not statistically significant (30).

Bottom Line: Pomegranate juice has been linked to reduced symptoms of erectile dysfunction, but more research is needed.

10. Pomegranate Can Help Fight Bacterial and Fungal Infections

The plant compounds in pomegranate can help fight harmful microorganisms (31).

For example, they have been shown to be beneficial against some types of bacteria, as well as the yeast Candida albicans (32, 33).

The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects may also be protective against infections and inflammation in the mouth.

This includes conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis and denture stomatitis (34, 35).

Bottom Line: Pomegranate has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which may be useful against common diseases of the gums.

11. Pomegranate May Help Improve Memory

There is some evidence that pomegranate can improve memory.

In one study in surgical patients, 2 grams of pomegranate extract prevented deficits in memory after the surgery (36).

Another study in 28 elderly individuals with memory complaints found that 237 ml (8 oz) of pomegranate juice per day significantly improved markers of verbal and visual memory (37).

There is also some evidence from studies in mice that pomegranate can help fight Alzheimer’s disease (38).

Bottom Line: Some evidence shows that pomegranate can improve memory in the elderly and post-surgery, and studies in mice suggest that it can protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

12. Pomegranate May Improve Exercise Performance

Pomegranate is rich in dietary nitrates, which have been shown to improve exercise performance.

In a study of 19 athletes running on a treadmill, 1 gram of pomegranate extract 30 minutes before exercise significantly enhanced blood flow (39).

This led to a delay in the onset of fatigue, and an increase in exercise efficiency.

More studies are needed, but it seems like pomegranate may be beneficial for physical performance, similar to beetroot juice.

13. Anything Else?

If you want to enjoy the health benefits outlined in the article, then you can either eat the pomegranate arils directly, or drink pomegranate juice.

There is also a good selection of pomegranate extract supplements on Amazon.

At the end of the day, pomegranates are among the healthiest fruits on the planet.

They have wide-ranging benefits, and may help reduce the risk of all sorts of serious diseases.

7 Nutrients To Protect Your Brain From Aging: Flavanols, Fish, Nuts, And Blueberries May Prevent Alzheimer’s

7 Nutrients To Protect Your Brain From Aging: Flavanols, Fish, Nuts, And Blueberries May Prevent Alzheimer’s

Apr 21, 2015 02:04 PM By Lecia Bushak

Eating certain nutrients, like cocoa flavonals and magnesium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, help boost your cognitive function and brainpower. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

While genetics and exercise play a large role in your brain health and risk of developing dementia, diet is quite influential, too. There is no magical elixir that can cure or completely prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, but scientists have been able to pinpoint certain nutrients that are associated with improved cognitive function or memory. Keeping your diet full of the foods that contain them, then, can help you protect your brain.

Cocoa Flavanols

Cocoa flavanols are found naturally in cocoa and can be beneficial to your brain health; they make dark chocolate healthier than regular chocolate, which has been washed out with milk and sugar. A 2014 study examined the impact of eating a high cocoa flavanol diet over the course of three months. The researchers focused primarily on the dentate gyrus (DG), a part of the hippocampal formation in the brain that, when it declines, is often associated with aging. Scientists believe this part of the brain is linked to memory loss. After eating a lot of cocoa flavanols, the researchers report that the participants experienced “enhanced DG function.”

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, mackerel, and tuna, are going to not only help your heart health, but they’ll also give you a boost in brainpower. According to a 2014 study, mice that were given supplements of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid showed improved cognitive function while they aged — showing better object recognition memory, spatial and localized memory, and aversive response retention.

Nuts

Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acids like fish, so adding nuts to your diet in addition to fish will provide you with solid amounts. Walnuts, in particular, have been shown to fight memory loss. In one recent large-scale analysis, researchers found that a diet supplemented with walnuts — which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, folate, antioxidants, and melatonin — improved adults’ performances on a series of six cognitive tests.

Magnesium

Scientists believe that a magnesium deficiency may play a role in cognitive decline, brain aging, and ultimately, dementia. So taking magnesium supplements — or eating foods that contain magnesium, like chard, spinach, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, almonds, black beans, avocados, figs, dark chocolate, or bananas — can help you fight off the effects of the aging brain.

Blueberries

Blueberries are delicious, but they also help in boosting your memory. According to a 2010study, blueberries were shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. They also contain anthocyanins, compounds that are associated with increased neuronal signaling in the brain’s memory areas. In the study, researchers found that participants who drank wild blueberry juice on a daily basis had improvements in paired associate learning and word list recall; they also found lower depressive symptoms and glucose levels.

Cruciferous Vegetables

According to the National Institute on Aging, eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help stave off cognitive decline as well as other chronic diseases, like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Green, leafy, cruciferous vegetables in particular (like broccoli and spinach) have been shown to reduce the rate of cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet, in particular (vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereals, fish, olive oil, mild amounts of alcohol — as well as low consumption of saturated fats, dairy, meat, and poultry) has shown in studies to be beneficial for cognitive health compared to more “Western” diets that are high in fats, carbs, and meat.

Green Tea

Green tea is good for a lot of things — but it’s also going to help you protect your brain. In a recent study completed at the University of Basel, researchers found that green tea extract enhances your thinking process and working memory. Participants scored higher for working memory tasks after they received the green tea extract, and an MRI showed a boost in connectivity between the parietal and frontal cortex of the brain, meaning that green tea “might increase the short-term synaptic plasticity of the brain,”  said Professor Stefan Borgwardt, an author of the study.