Our five favourite brain foods

1. Coconut oil

Key nutrient: ketones
Growing research shows that the brains of people with Alzheimer’s are not able to normally metabolize glucose for cell function but can use ketones, a compound found in coconuts, to help keep synapses firing and cells healthy.

Sneak it in: Use coconut oil in place of butter in baking or for cooking.

2. Spinach

Key nutrient: lutein
This relative of beta carotene not only slows memory loss, it improves memory function, says the Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University near Boston. You can also find lutein in peas and egg yolks.

Sneak it in: Whip up a simple spinach omelette for brunch or a quick weeknight dinner.

3. Herring

Key nutrient: omega-3 fatty acids
Tuna, sardines and wild salmon are other good sources. Researchers in the U.S. found elderly women with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids typically had bigger brain volumes than participants with low levels.

Sneak it in: Try a Mediterranean-style herring pasta.

4. Tomatoes

Key nutrient: vitamin C
Foods packed with this antioxidant may decrease beta-amyloid formations, which contribute to the development of plaques in the brain.

Sneak it in: Stew tomatoes with nutmeg, allspice and red-wine vinegar to make a low-sodium and preservative-free ketchup.

5. Cherries

Key nutrient: flavonoids
Dark-skinned fruit like cherries, berries and plums are rich in these polyphenols, which reduce dementia risk. In the Nurses’ Health Study, higher intakes of berries slowed cognitive aging by more than two years.

Sneak it in: Toss berries on your cereal or stash a plum in your purse.

Follow the jump to learn more about the amazing health benefits of cherries.