Skip to content
Wellness Blog
Earth Day Observance: Healthy Foods That Help Save the Rainforest
What do tea, coffee, bananas, chocolate, and Brazil nuts have in common? They all have brain health benefits, and they come from the rainforest. In celebration of Earth Day, on April 22, let’s explore how to enjoy these foods and help tropical rainforests at the same time. Why the Rainforest? Of all the ways to help the earth, learning how we can protect the rainforest is among the most critical. Deforestation and degradation of tropical forests account for roughly 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions from human activities. The world’s tropical ecosystems are like carbon sinks, taking carbon out of the atmosphere. When they burn or are destroyed, all that carbon is released. Rainforests also serve as moisture makers, helping to cool the planet and maintain its weather patterns. As they disappear, we will have more drought and food supplies will be affected. We need healthy rainforests for our own survival. Our Part: Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Becoming aware of our consumer choices as they relate to tropical goods and foods, and supporting sustainable practices, is one of the best ways to celebrate Earth Day, every day. Fortunately, a non-profit organization called the Rainforest Alliance has worked with farmers in tropical areas around the world to certify sustainable practices that meet the rigorous criteria set by the organization. If you see the Rainforest Alliance logo (pictured on the right), it means that the item was produced in such a way as to increase carbon storage and avoid tropical deforestation, while providing better conditions and wages for workers. Buying these certified products is one of the simplest ways to help the rainforest, and there are many others. So, let’s get started... 5 Brain Healthy Foods & Drinks That Help Save the Rainforest Tea Green, oolong, and black teas are derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant grown in the tropics. They are loaded with brain-healthy polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that provide a host of health benefits. Green tea, with its lesser caffeine content and greater amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and l-theanine, is a particularly brain-healthy choice. EGCG has a calming effect while boosting memory and attention, and l-theanine is found to have a similar effect when consumed in combination with caffeine. These and other polyphenols in tea also have a neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects. Boost your brain health and help rainforests by purchasing Rainforest Alliance certified teas. They’re available at most grocery stores. Coffee The caffeine in coffee helps to increase alertness, brighten mood, and sharpen concentration. Yet, caffeine can restrict blood flow to the brain, so it’s important to drink it in moderation. And, since it also can interrupt sleep, it’s best to only have caffeine in the morning. That said, coffee is loaded with antioxidants, which may be why coffee consumption is associated with protective effects against neurodegenerative issues and cognitive decline. Look for Rainforest Alliance certified and/or shade-grown coffees. Shade-grown coffee farms have been shown to have much greater biodiversity than sun-grown. Organic and Fair Trade are also great certifications. Bananas Bananas are the perfect, portable snack. They’re delicious, fun to eat, and nutritious. Bananas are a great source of fiber, complex carbohydrates, potassium, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals. As a memory boosting food, potassium helps to support recall and learning in healthy individuals. Conversely, memory loss is a common problem in people who are deficient in potassium. Most grocers offer Rainforest Alliance certified bananas. Be sure to look for them! Dark Chocolate Consuming dark chocolate, rich in cocoa flavanols, can increase cerebral blood flow and be effective at sustaining cognitive performance, leading to improvements in attention, processing speed, and memory. And, according to research, chocolate can support a positive mood. Chocolate can be that much sweeter by choosing brands that use shade-grown and/or Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa. Organic and Fair Trade cocoa are also excellent choices. Brazil Nuts Brazil nuts are grown in the Amazon rainforest and are a treasure trove of brain-healthy nutrients. Brazil nuts are one of nature’s richest sources of selenium, which may support brain health by acting as an antioxidant. Some evidence indicates that low levels of selenium are correlated with neurogenerative issues. A polyphenol in Brazil nuts called ellagic acid may have protective and mood-lifting effects on the brain. Brazil nuts are also high in magnesium, a mineral that’s essential to the transmission of signals between the brain and the rest of the body. In one study evaluating older adults with mental impairment, participants showed improved verbal fluency and mental function by eating one Brazil nut a day for six months. What’s especially wonderful about Brazil nuts is that eating them directly benefits the Amazon. Attempts to grow the trees on plantations have largely failed because they’re dependent on a certain type of bee for pollination – these bees only live in forested areas. A robust Brazil nut trade means large areas of the Amazon are left intact and sustainable income goes to local communities. It’s a win for you and win for the rainforest when you eat Brazil nuts! Every Choice Matters We have immense power as consumers, and collectively, our choices can make a huge impact. Just as our food choices make for a healthy brain and body, our consumer choices make for a healthy planet.  At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.
Learn more
Some of the Best Teas to Keep You Warm This Winter
It’s the time of year when colder weather drives people indoors, where a crackling fire and warm beverage can help thaw the winter chill. But beware! Some hot beverages are healthy, and others aren’t. Beverages to Avoid A go-to beverage on a cold day, especially if you’ve been outside in the crisp air for an extended period, is hot chocolate. Although this beverage is irresistible to many, especially chocoholics, many commercial brands of hot chocolate are loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats, artificial chemicals with names too long to pronounce, and excessive calories (and let’s not even get started on marshmallows). All these unhealthy elements can negatively affect your health and weight. Another common beverage trap during the winter season is coffee. In addition to its high caffeine content, coffee becomes less healthy the more you put in it. Though tempting to purchase on a chilly day, seasonal beverages offered at popular coffee shops typically consist of a small amount of coffee with a large amount of sugar, dairy, syrup, artificial sweeteners/flavors (which also contain those long names you can’t pronounce), and other unhealthy fillers. Beverages to Embrace A hot beverage that’s been enjoyed for thousands of years is still one the healthiest…tea. Many teas are high in antioxidants and have calming effects (like chamomile). Most teas are low calorie, low in caffeine and sugar-free. Many teas are created by adding natural citrus flavors (orange, lemon, etc.), oils (peppermint), or flowers (hibiscus) to dried leaves of medicinal herbals. Drinking a cup of warm tea can help relieve stress and lift the spirits. Its many health benefits make tea an ideal alternative to coffee. If you rely too heavily on coffee to get you through the day, gradually wean off coffee and introduce tea into your diet. If you’re looking for an alternative to coffee and hot chocolate this winter season, here are 8 healthy and delicious teas you should try… 8 Healthy Teas to Drink this Winter Green Tea A staple in many Asian cultures, green tea is made (without fermentation) from leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It contains high concentrations of polyphenols (substances that have antioxidant properties), which support healthy blood pressure levels and promote blood flow to the brain. In addition to green tea’s powerful circulatory benefits, it also helps reduce stress, improve intestinal bacterial balance, and increase carbohydrate and fat burning. Green tea also naturally contains l-theanine, which can enhance mental focus yet has a calming effect without making you sleepy. It only has half the amount of caffeine compared to coffee. Black Tea Black tea is made by fermenting green tea leaves. Though its polyphenol profile is different than green tea’s, black tea is still a very healthy beverage. Black tea serves as the base for many other types of tea, including chai, Earl Grey (which includes oil of bergamot) and some brands of instant tea. Black tea also has powerful circulatory benefits, including supporting healthy blood pressure levels. Drinking black tea with a meal also can slow sugar absorption and lessen its impact on the body. Oolong Tea Oolong tea is produced by partial fermentation of specially cultivated varieties of green tea leaves. After drying the plant under intense sunlight, oolong tea is then rolled into long curls. There are a variety of oolong teas with varying flavors; from sweet and fruity to woody and complex. Oolong tea has many health benefits; it helps maintain memory with aging and promotes a positive mood. As a bonus, oolong tea can help you burn more calories than green tea. White Tea This tea involves no fermentation and is made from young green tea leaves that are just about to open (they have a white fuzzy covering, hence the name). White tea is minimally processed, has more polyphenols than green or black tea, and has less caffeine. Despite its name, white tea is a pale yellow when brewed. Pu-erh Tea Pu-erh (or Pu’er) is a dark tea that comes from the Yunnan province of China and is produced by bacterial fermentation. Pu-erh tea is often described as robust and earthy. Due to its fermentation process, Pu-erh tea is rich in antioxidants. This tea may help with fat-burning and is associated with a more positive mood. As you shop for it, make sure the brand is low in fluorine, which can be toxic. Red Tea Red tea (rooibos) comes from a fermented South African herb (redbush, Aspalathus linearis) and has an orange-red color when brewed. Red tea is loaded with unique flavonoids that help slow the absorption of sugar and fats and may be more effective than other teas at improving blood antioxidant protection. Rooibos is free from caffeine. Jasmine Tea Jasmine tea has a green tea base (less frequently, black or white tea) and is scented with fragrant jasmine blossoms. It has been popular in China for hundreds of years and was one of the first flavored teas to reach the West. Jasmine tea is rich in antioxidants and helps support brain function. Its sweet aroma can help to enhance mood. Ginger Tea As its name indicates, ginger tea is made from the ginger root which is similar to the turmeric root. It carries the signature aroma and spiciness associated with foods containing ginger, and its main active substances are gingerols and shogaols. In the Ayurveda tradition, ginger is widely revered as a food, spice, and medicine. It helps improve the circulation, is protective for the brain, and is especially sought out for its digestive benefits and its capacity to counter nausea, including from motion sickness. Though these are just a sampling of popular teas, there are hundreds of other variations and herbal blends derived from these teas. Practically any medicinal herbal can be made into a tea. With such a selection to choose from, you’re sure to find at least one healthy tea you’ll enjoy. Since most teas are inexpensive, drinking tea is a cost-effective way to improve your health…as well as help keep you warm this winter.  At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to support your brain health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen. Â
Learn more