Our brains require 20% of our body’s energy intake, despite making up, on average, only 2% of our body weight.
There are nutrients that are needed for brain health and development, yet many of us don’t think about specifically eating for our brains.
In this programme Ruth Alexander learns about the relationship between our gut and our brain, and the impact food can have on your alertness, mood and memory.
And just why oily fish, and other foods containing omega 3 fatty acids are so good for your brain.
Ruth speaks to Dr Reeta Achari, a neurologist specialising in nutrition in Texas, United States and Dr Uma Naidoo a nutritional psychiatrist and author of ‘Calm Your Mind With Food’, in Massachusetts, United States. They are joined by Michelle Munt in the United Kingdom, whose blog ‘Jumbled Brain’ talks about recovering from a brain injury following a car accident in 2014.
Presented by Ruth Alexander.
Produced by Julia Paul and Beatrice Pickup.
(Image: a selection of foods collected in the shape of a brain. Credit: Getty Images/BBC)
Eat the year
Samin Nosrat: My life in five dishes
I hate Christmas pudding!
Can chocolate be clean?
Sommeliers: Wine waiters uncorked
Marcus Samuelsson: My life in five dishes
Can palm oil be sustainable?
Bakers: Earning a crust
Can you have your plate and eat it?
How dangerous is your food delivery?
Will robot pickers change our fruit?
How to date a vegan
How to cook for a megastar
Down on the farm: Suicide, stress and farmers
Ken Hom: My life in five dishes
Eating with Etna
Foraging: Pleasure or profit?
Ritual slaughter under threat
The young pub bosses reviving the British boozer
Dynasties
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Global News Podcast
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
The Story of Mankind
Pollyanna
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins