Doctor recommends cheap alternatives to healthy superfoods

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The doctor shared cheaper avocado, matcha and acai substitutes that can still benefit your brain.

A healthy diet is one of the biggest layers of protection you can offer your brain.

While superfoods offer many health benefits thanks to their powerful plant compounds, an expert shared that you don't need to dig deep into your pocket to improve your brain health.

1. Avocados

The creamy fruit has experienced a boom in popularity over the past decade, with many doctors claiming it can support brain health thanks to its vitamin E content.

A doctor agreed , that eating avocados is good for your health, but there are other everyday foods you can add to your diet that will give you “the same results.”

Eating a variety of nuts, seeds, and green vegetables can meet your body's vitamin E needs and provide brain-supporting B vitamins, which are also found in avocados.

2. Matcha

Whether you drink it cold or hot, matcha is nothing new, as this green drink originated in Japan back in the 1100s.

Its health benefits are based on its content of L-theanine, which describes an amino acid that relieves stress, improves mood, and helps regulate sleep patterns.

While matcha may offer more brain benefits than green tea, the cheaper alternative still offers some powerful effects.

“The combination of L-theanine and caffeine in matcha has been shown to have positive effects on brain function. However, the differences between matcha and green tea are not that significant. Regular green tea offers many of the same cognitive benefits due to its high antioxidant content, L-theanine, and caffeine, without the potential expense and preparation hassles associated with matcha.”

Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, acai berries may protect your brain from neurodegenerative diseases and help improve memory.

But the expensive berry isn’t the only one packed with antioxidants.

“The pigments in the berries (flavonoids), which give them their brilliant hues, help improve memory and delay memory decline by two to three years. Two servings of blueberries a week will keep your flavonoid levels high.”

If you’re not a fan of blueberries, you can try blackberries, blackcurrants, and raspberries instead, the nutritionist added.

Fermented foods against dementia

There are a number of studies suggesting that fermented dairy products have neuroprotective effects.

“They can be used to treat and even prevent the progression of cognitive decline seen in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”