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The Food Chain

Factual: Food & Drink

Examining what it takes to put food on your plate

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

Feed your brain

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The Food Chain: Feed your brain

Magazines & Reviews

14/12/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - The Food Chain, Feed your brain

Why is it important to ‘feed’ your brain?

Our brains require 20% of our body’s energy intake, despite making up, on average, only 2% of our body weight. 

There are nutrients that are needed for brain health and development, yet many of us don’t think about specifically eating for our brains.  

In this programme Ruth Alexander learns about the relationship between our gut and our brain, and the impact food can have on your alertness, mood and memory. 

And just why oily fish, and other foods containing omega 3 fatty acids are so good for your brain.  

Ruth speaks to Dr Reeta Achari, a neurologist specialising in nutrition in Texas, United States and Dr Uma Naidoo a nutritional psychiatrist and author of ‘Calm Your Mind With Food’, in Massachusetts, United States. They are joined by Michelle Munt in the United Kingdom, whose blog ‘Jumbled Brain’ talks about recovering from a brain injury following a car accident in 2014.  

Presented by Ruth Alexander.  

Produced by Julia Paul and Beatrice Pickup.  

(Image: a selection of foods collected in the shape of a brain. Credit: Getty Images/BBC)

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