Fermented foods, which we all know are good for the gut, are also beneficial for our brains, preliminary findings from a new study out of Ireland suggest.
Foods can significantly impact our mental health, and certain foods in particular can positively affect the brain.
For example, according to a review published in Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, fermented foods may improve cognitive function by modulating the release of neurotransmitters like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and serotonin, which are involved in learning and memory.
Sauerkraut, a type of fermented cabbage, contains choline, an amino acid essential for the production of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter involved in muscle control, circadian rhythm, and memory, and research shows it may have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease….