越吃越聪明的6种食物

 　　6 Things to Eat Today for a Smarter Brain TomorrowFood for thought—as well as memory, spatial¹ perception, verbal skills, and more.

　　First, the not-so-good news in neuroscience: According to a recent study, cognitive² decline may set in as early as age 45, much sooner than previously³ thought. But before you start to panic, there's also reason for hope: Researchers around the globe are learning that we can build up our brains—making them bigger and sharper—simply by feeding them the right nutrients⁵. Here, six smart foods to add to your shopping cart.

　　Sunflower SeedsA handful provides a good dose of vitamin E, a nutrient⁴ that appears to shield neurons from cell-damaging free radicals⁶. After analyzing⁷ data from subjects ages 55 and older, Harvard researchers discovered that people who consumed the most vitamin E were 25 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who consumed the least.

　　YogurtHead to the dairy aisle⁸ for this plentiful⁹ source of vitamin B12. In 2011 scientists found that people with indications of a B12 deficit¹⁰ performed worse on tests of long-term memory. Study author Christy Tangney, PhD, says too little B12 can lead to the degeneration of myelin sheaths—the protective layer around our nerves that allow impulses to travel quickly through the brain.

　　Total Whole GrainIt's high in B, C, D, and E—a medley¹² that may prevent brain shrinkage linked to Alzheimer's. In a 2012 study, subjects with high levels of those vitamins had significantly larger brains and scored better on visual-spatial tests. "The right nutrient combination may be a recipe for Alzheimer's prevention," says lead author Gene¹¹ Bowman.

　　SalmonFatty fish are full of omega-3s, and new research suggests these nutrients may be essential to maintaining a youthful mind. The study, which involved MRI scans of subjects with an average age of 65, noted¹³ that the brains of those with the lowest omega-3 levels in their red blood cells appeared two years older than the brains of those with higher levels.

　　EggsTheir yolks are loaded with D, which helps break down the insoluble plaques¹⁴ that characterize Alzheimer's. Researchers at the UK's University of Exeter examined 858 people and found that those who were deficient¹⁵ in the vitamin were 60 percent more likely to experience cognitive decline during a six-year period.

　　EdamameThe beans are rich in choline, a building block for a neurotransmitter that helps relay information throughout the nervous system. Boston University researchers showed that higher choline intake¹⁶ is linked to better scores on verbal and visual memory tests, and MRI scans revealed that the participants who ate choline-rich foods also had fewer white matter hyperintensities, spots on the brain that are considered possible indicators¹⁷ of increased risk for Alzheimer's.

1 spatial   

adj.空间的，占据空间的

参考例句：

• This part of brain judges the spatial relationship between objects.大脑的这部分判断物体间的空间关系。
• They said that time is the feeling of spatial displacement.他们说时间是空间位移的感觉。

2 cognitive   

adj.认知的，认识的，有感知的

参考例句：

• As children grow older,their cognitive processes become sharper.孩子们越长越大，他们的认知过程变得更为敏锐。
• The cognitive psychologist is like the tinker who wants to know how a clock works.认知心理学者倒很像一个需要通晓钟表如何运转的钟表修理匠。

3 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

4 nutrient   

adj.营养的，滋养的；n.营养物，营养品

参考例句：

• Magnesium is the nutrient element in plant growth.镁是植物生长的营养要素。
• The roots transmit moisture and nutrient to the trunk and branches.根将水分和养料输送到干和枝。

5 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 radicals   

n.激进分子( radical的名词复数 )；根基；基本原理；[数学]根数

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals. 一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The worry is that the radicals will grow more intransigent. 现在人们担忧激进分子会变得更加不妥协。 来自辞典例句

7 analyzing   

v.分析；分析( analyze的现在分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析n.分析

参考例句：

• Analyzing the date of some socialist countries presents even greater problem s. 分析某些社会主义国家的统计数据，暴露出的问题甚至更大。 来自辞典例句
• He undoubtedly was not far off the mark in analyzing its predictions. 当然，他对其预测所作的分析倒也八九不离十。 来自辞典例句

8 aisle   

n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道

参考例句：

• The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
• The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。

9 plentiful   

adj.富裕的，丰富的

参考例句：

• Their family has a plentiful harvest this year.他们家今年又丰收了。
• Rainfall is plentiful in the area.这个地区雨量充足。

10 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

11 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

12 medley   

n.混合

参考例句：

• Today's sports meeting doesn't seem to include medley relay swimming.现在的运动会好象还没有混合接力泳这个比赛项目。
• China won the Men's 200 metres Individual Medley.中国赢得了男子200米个人混合泳比赛。

13 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

14 plaques   

（纪念性的）匾牌( plaque的名词复数 )； 纪念匾； 牙斑； 空斑

参考例句：

• Primary plaques were detectable in 16 to 20 hours. 在16到20小时内可查出原发溶斑。
• The gondoliers wore green and white livery and silver plaques on their chests. 船夫们穿着白绿两色的制服，胸前别着银质徽章。

15 deficient   

adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的

参考例句：

• The crops are suffering from deficient rain.庄稼因雨量不足而遭受损害。
• I always have been deficient in selfconfidence and decision.我向来缺乏自信和果断。

16 intake   

n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口

参考例句：

• Reduce your salt intake.减少盐的摄入量。
• There was a horrified intake of breath from every child.所有的孩子都害怕地倒抽了一口凉气。

17 indicators   

（仪器上显示温度、压力、耗油量等的）指针( indicator的名词复数 )； 指示物； （车辆上的）转弯指示灯； 指示信号

参考例句：

• The economic indicators are better than expected. 经济指标比预期的好。
• It is still difficult to develop indicators for many concepts used in social science. 为社会科学领域的许多概念确立一个指标仍然很难。