Did you know that the first organ to absorb nutrients from the foods we eat isn’t the stomach but rather, the brain? Most people don’t. However, relatively new studies show that the foods we consume affect focus, memory, decision making, planning and overall cognitive function. For children, diet is especially important, as it can drastically affect brain development.
Brain growth and development occur rapidly. By the time your child is two, his or her brain development will be near completion, at 80% of its adult weight. The majority of the remainder of brain development will occur in your child’s adolescent years. What this means for you is that, if you want to give your child the best start possible, you need to incorporate brain-boosting nutrients into his or her diet as early in life as possible, preferably during infancy.
Supporting Baby Brain Health
Newborns are pretty limited on what they can and cannot eat. While science shows that infants need vitamin D, omega-3s and selenium as much as full-grown adults, you can’t very well feed your baby eggs, fish or collard greens. So, what can you do in the meantime, when your little one is still bottle- or breastfed? Complement the nutrients in the formula or breast milk with multivitamin drops.
Wellements Organic Multivitamin Drops are safe, trusted and certified organic. We carefully source our ingredients and ensure they contain zero preservatives, zero flavor additives and no artificial colors. Our products are free of dairy, soy and gluten, each of which are increasingly common allergens in younger generations. The multivitamin drops contain all the essential vitamins you would find in natural sources, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K.
Nutrients For Baby's Brain Development
As your little one grows, you can start to incorporate natural sources of essential nutrients into his or her diet. While you cannot go wrong with whole, natural ingredients, there are some foods that are better for brain development than others. Science refers to these foods as “superfoods.” Below are our top picks for little eaters and an overview of how they strengthen the body’s most important muscle.
Eggs
Given the OK from your pediatrician, eggs are one of the most nutritious foods you can serve to your little one.1 Eggs are loaded with nutrients that contribute directly to brain development, including protein, vitamin B12, selenium and choline. The final ingredient is so powerful, in fact, that a review of over 50 studies suggests that adding choline to your child’s diet within the first 1,000 days of life can boost brain development, improve cognitive functioning and protect against nerve cell damage. Other studies show that children who eat eggs regularly, along with other healthy foods, have higher IQs.
Yogurt
Another child-favorite, yogurt is an excellent source of protein and a great way to support your child’s brain development. Yogurt contains ample amounts of iodine, which is essential to brain health and cognitive function. This assertion is supported by findings that link iodine deficiencies to cognitive impairment in children. It’s important to note, however, that not all yogurts are created equal. To ensure your child reaps the most benefit, buy unsweetened, preferably Greek, yogurt.
Cocoa
Need to flavor up that unsweetened yogurt? Use cocoa. Cocoa is one of the most concentrated food sources for flavonoid antioxidants, many of which boast brain-protective properties. Studies show that cocoa flavonoids improve visual processing, increase blood flow to the brain and boost cognitive functioning in both children and adults.
Berries
When it comes to healthy foods that all children love, berries top the list. Berries contain anthocyanins, which are compounds that support brain health and development in several ways. Among other benefits, anthocyanins promote the production of new nerve cells in the brain, reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the muscle. The findings from several studies indicate that berry intake correlates directly with learning and memory processes and cognitive performance in children.
Supporting brain health and development in children is a top priority for most parents. If it’s a priority to you (as we are sure it is), do what you can beginning as early as possible to give your child a head start. Explore the benefits of Wellements baby products.