As we get older, the brain’s pipes (blood vessels) slowly start to clog and narrow. This process, referred to as atherosclerosis, results from natural wear and tear, as well as lifestyle choices.

As the vessels clog and narrow, blood flow diminishes to neurons, and they don’t work as well as they should. Memory, concentration, creativity, and problem solving ability all plummet.

Preventing atherosclerosis is therefore a very important concept in keeping your brain power intact.

A new study published in the July issue of the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating a vegetable-rich diet reduced the risk of atherosclerosis by 38%.

The study was done in mice; 30% of the food they ate was vegetables:

• freeze-dried peas
• beans
• broccoli
• carrots
• corn

If eating just these simple veggies (the peas were freeze dried!) can reduce atherosclerosis by 38%, imagine how much further good a real vegetable diet would do us?

• spinach
• string beans
• asparagus
• red lettuce
• carrots
• kale
• red, yellow, orange, purple peppers
• beets and beet greens
• green and red cabbage
• parsley
• mustard greens
• collard greens
• chives
• celery
• sea vegetables
• cauliflower
• onions
• bok choy
• brussels sprouts

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