Just as your stomach, muscles, and heart feed on the nutrients that food supplies, so does the brain. So, before you eat a big T-bone steak with French fries, here is some food for thought: Research suggests that what we eat might have an impact on our ability to remember and our likelihood of developing dementia. 

While we’ve always known that what we eat affects our bodies and how we look, scientists are also learning more and more that what we eat takes a toll on our brains.

1) Blueberries 

Blueberries are a fruit you should try to eat daily because they have so many great health benefits ­and, at the same time, they taste like an all-natural candy.

Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods on the planet, and they also contain vitamin C, vitamin K and fiber.

Due to their high levels of gallic acid, blueberries are especially good at protecting our brains from degeneration and stress.

2) Avacados

While avocados often get a bad rep because of their high fat content, it’s important to note that these green powerhouses are packed with monosaturated fats or the “good” kind, which keep blood sugar levels steady and your skin glowing.

Containing both vitamin K and folate, avocados help prevent blood clots in the brain, which helps protect against stroke, as well as help improve cognitive function, especially memory and concentration.

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They’re also rich in vitamin B and vitamin C, which aren’t stored in your body and need to be replenished daily.

This creamy treat also has the highest protein and lowest sugar content of any fruit and is also a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin E.

How does it help the brain? Research suggests that foods rich in vitamin E are associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

3) Broccoli 

Thanks to its high levels of vitamin K and choline, broccoli is one of the best brain foods out there to keep your memory sharp. 

It’s also loaded with vitamin C — in fact, just one cup provides you with 150 percent of your recommended daily intake. 

5) Fish 

Salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other fish, packed with omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your brain running smoothly, are one of the most nutritious, brain food-friendly foods out there. And these same fatty acids can also help prevent cancer and kill tumors.

Another plus: Eating more fish often means eating less red meat and other forms of protein that are high in artery-clogging saturated fats.

6) Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Kale, collard greens, and spinach are good sources of vitamin E and folate, which may be lower the levels of an amino acid known as homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine may trigger the death of nerve cells in the brain, but folic acid helps break down homocysteine levels. 

Further, high homocysteine levels have also been linked to an increased risk for heart disease.