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)
Banh mi: A sandwich with a story
The Little Italy story
This kid cooks
Immersive dining
Africa's forgotten foods
What the wedding caterer is really thinking
How I learnt to cook
How did salt get so gourmet?
Can you feed a city from its rooftops?
The power of heritage brands
How did TV cooking competitions get so big?
Let’s take a lunch break!
Teaching tomorrow's chefs
Is the food you’re eating what you think it is?
Should we farm octopus?
A dish fit for the King
The growth of GM food
How AI could design our diets
Is this the end of the British caff?
Can small farms feed the world?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Global News Podcast
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
A Tale of Two Cities
The War of the Worlds
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins