8 Foods to Keep Your Memory Sharp as a Tack

Forgot where you put your keys? Mixed up your kid's extracurricular schedule? Most people experience memory loss every once in a while, and the hectic lifestyle of motherhood doesn't help matters. Luckily, researchers all over the world are scouring the earth looking for ingredients that might organically improve human recall. Scan the menu of ingredients from Details below and, if you make the right diet changes, you too could develop a champion's memory.

Salmon: There's a reason that fish is called brain food, says Lauri Wright, PhD, RD, LD, and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of South Florida and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Several studies have shown that a diet containing generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids leads to decreased rates of dementia and improved memory recall," she says. Researchers at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago followedmore than 6,000 people for four years to see how diet affected their memory. The frequent fish eaters (at least once a week) had a 12 percent slower memory decline than those who did not eat fish. The fish eaters also saw a 60 percent reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Wright suggests three four-ounce servings each week of omega-3-rich fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines.

>> Read more: Prevent Alzheimer's By Doing This One Thing

Curry: Plan a weekly Indian takeout night: Researchers have found that curcumin, a primary ingredient in turmeric and curry powders, slows the formation of plaque deposits and even destroys accumulations in mouse brains. These plaque deposits — known as amyloid plaques — have been linked to the development of Alzheimer's. Curry has also been proven to help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Blueberries and grapes: "Berry fruits and vegetables contain compounds that are important for optimal function and resisting decline with aging," says Robert Krikorian, PhD, who leads the Cognitive Aging Program at the College of Medicine at University of Cincinnati. One of his studies found that those who drank blueberry juice every day for two months significantly improved their performance in learning and memory tests. In another study, he found similar results with Concord grape juice.

Beets: Not only are beets super trendy these days, they're also loaded with nitrates. Great — but what are nitrates? "Nitrates are a form of nitric oxide, which is a natural compound that is involved in vascular dilation (and associated blood pressure lowering)," explains Krikorian. So the nitrates increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, thus improving mental performance.

>> Read more: 5 Reasons You Should Try a Beet Smoothie

Curious as to what other foods can help improve your memory? Click here to read the original story from Details.