For the longest time, we all have heard about how frozen foods are not good for health. Is it true, though? Well, frozen foods may give you a brain freeze at times, but the debate about their nutritional value is really dated. Not just that, some frozen foods are also good for your cognitive health.
Frozen foods are nutritious, and in some cases better than their fresh counterparts. This is because freezing at low temperatures, locks in the nutrients at its peak. As frozen foods often come at a slash of fresh food price, you won’t have to give an arm and a leg to buy it!
Here are 5 frozen foods that are good for cognitive function.
Strawberries
Frozen strawberries or any kind of berries for that matter, are good for your brain health. They are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, particularly anthocyanins, that are associated with improved memory and focus. Studies suggest regular consumption of berries can slow cognitive aging by up to 2.5 years. Similarly, wild blueberries are also beneficial for brain health, improving processing speed and reducing cognitive fatigue.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens are packed with vitamin K and folate. Vitamin K supports memory, and folate is linked to lower dementia risk. So, go ahead and grab those frozen greens. Spinach and Kale are rich in nutrients. One cup of chopped frozen spinach will give you nearly five times the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin K and more than half the folate.
Cruciferous vegetables
Frozen cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are often affordable. These vegetables are great for cognitive health. High in vitamin K, phytochemicals, and antioxidants like sulforaphane, these vegetables protect your brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, which results in delaying aging.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society points out the link between cruciferous vegetables and better cognitive function in older adults.
Fatty fish
Fishes such as salmon, mackerel, and herring are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain cell structure, fluidity, and blood flow. These frozen fatty fish come at a fraction of the fresh fish’s cost. Incorporating these will help boost your cognitive function.
Edamame
During winters we all love munching on that sumptuous edamame. As they are seasonal, you won’t find it very often. But if you could get your hands on some frozen edamame, don’t think twice. They are nutrient-dense beans packed with protein, fiber, and soy isoflavones.
Isoflavones and folate in edamame support cognitive health and reduce depression risk.
(Pic courtesy: iStock)
