Feed Your Memory

Always forgetting where you put your keys? Feel lost without your iCal? To the rescue: Foods scientifically proven to boost your brainpower.

Oranges -
The research: This juicy fruit is a great source of folate, and a recent study in The Journal of Nutrition found that a diet rich in folate - which helps lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid related to memory loss - is associated with faster recall and information processing.
Work it in: Aim for one medium-size orange a day; eat on its own, or cut wedges into bit-size pieces and add to a salad or on top of grilled fish.

Black Beans -
The research: This fiber-rich food is an excellent source of vitamin B1, a nutrient that helps synthesize the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is crucial for memory. Low levels of acetylcholine have been linked to age-related mental decline and Alzheimer's disease.
Work it in: Aim for 1/2 cup a day; add to a Mexican-style salad with grilled peppers, pico de gallo and organic corn chips.

Sage -
The research: Two double-blind trials showed that taking an essential oil extract of sage - which inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine - significantly improved recall in adults for up to four hours after consuming.
Work it in: Aim for 1 tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried sage, or 1 teaspoon sage-infused olive oil daily; add fresh or dried sage to canned or homemade soup, or use sage-infused oil in a meat marinade.