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8. Brain Function Enhancer
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Avocados are great for your brain as much as for your body. Avocados' special mix of nutrients can have major favourable impacts on general brain health, memory, and cognitive ability. Avocados mostly help brain function by virtue of their great monounsaturated fat content. About 60% of the brain contains fat, hence the kind of fat we eat directly affects brain structure and operation. Avocados' monounsaturated fats—especially oleic acid—help to maintain the integrity of brain cell membranes, therefore improving their capacity to convey information. These good fats are also very important for the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter needed for memory and learning. Rich in vitamin K, avocados have been connected to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and better cognitive ability. Production of sphingolipids, a kind of fat found in great concentration in brain cell membranes, depends on vitamin K. By preserving the health and integrity of these brain cell membranes, enough vitamin K can aid to preserve cognitive ability as we age. Another benefit for brain function are avocados' high folate content. Appropriate brain function depends on folate, which also has been linked to a reduced incidence of depression and cognitive decline. It is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like as dopamine and serotonin, which control mood and cognition. Pregnancy especially calls for enough folate for the development of foetal brain. Avocados' antioxidants—including vitamin E and many phytochemicals—help guard the brain against oxidative stress. A major contributing cause to age-related cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders is oxidative stress. These antioxidants assist preserve brain function by fighting free radicals and lowering inflammation, thereby maybe slowing down age-related cognitive declines. Another excellent source of lutein, a pigment found to gather in the brain, are avocados.
