As we age, our bodies and our brains age right along with us. While certain activities can help keep your brain younger, like crossword puzzles, certain foods can also help keep your brain younger healthier by protecting nerve cells and blood vessels. Many of these foods can help remove free radicals, the extra bits of oxygen produced as the brain goes about its business. Others are just plain helpful. Keep in mind these smart foods when making your next grocery shopping list.

Blueberries
Blueberries are almost a wonder food. They are great at combating free radicals, since they are full of antioxidants, and have also been known to help improve memory and motor control. Certain chemicals in blueberries also affect the arteries, causing them to open up. This, in turn, can have a wonderful affect on the blood pressure. A less highly touted benefit of blueberries is greater concentration. Blueberries, like all fruits, have naturally occurring sugar. This sugar is the brain’s preferred fuel source, so eating food full of natural sugar can help provide a quick burst of concentration – as long as it is not over done.

Fish
Eat fish, especially the fatty ones like salmon and herring, to get a good helping of fatty omega three acids. For one thing, higher levels of omega three have been linked with higher serotonin levels, which positively affect you good mood. Omega three helps aid in communication between the neurons, leading to better memory and learning. And, a study from Rush Institute for Healthy Aging in Chicago found that people who eat fish once a week have less of a chance of getting Alzheimer’s.

Chocolate
Whether it’s hot cocoa in the winter, a chocolate bar, or chocolate ice cream in the summer, chocolate can be very good for you – again, in moderation. An ounce a day will give great health benefits like antioxidants and increased concentration. Chang Young Lee, a professor of food chemistry at Cornell University, found that two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder has more antioxidants than any other drink including tea and red wine. Add nuts to the chocolate and you get even more benefits, like vitamin E.