Human Brain By now, you must have realized that certain foods do help to keep your body as well as brain healthy. A US expert has said that deficiencies in certain foods rich in iron, zinc, niacin, thiamin and vitamins B6 and B12 could hamper one’s brain function.

According to Lona Sandon, of the University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, such nutrition deficiencies could also cause mood disturbances, confusion, poor concentration, easy agitation, and nerve cell damage.

“If you are deficient, improved dietary intake can improve alertness and concentration when normal blood levels are reached,” Sandon said in a statement.

Here is a list of nutrients and food that are good for the brain:

  • Iron: Beef, fish, poultry, leafy vegetables
  • Zinc: Oysters, nuts, grains, beans, cereals, whole-grain breads
  • Niacin: Beef, fish, poultry, leafy vegetables, nuts, grains, tomatoes,carrots, milk
  • Thiamin: Beef, pork, nuts, grains, peas, spinach, some beans, breads
  • Vitamin B6: Liver, fish, poultry, green beans, bananas, nuts
  • Vitamin B12: Beef, liver, shellfish, eggs, milk, fortified cereals
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: found primarily in fish