Fayteen and I are now eating lots of fruits and vegetables for three reasons—two old reasons and one new reason.
The first reason is that we want to look better. No, we don’t want to look like the anorexic, 20-something models in the fashion magazines. But, we do want to look our best and we want to be and to look healthy.
The second reason is that we want to feel better. When we’re maintaining a healthy weight, we have more energy and we feel ready for new tasks and new adventures.
The third reason—and this is the new reason—is that we want more brainpower. When we read about a new study in the May 2, 2011, issue of Time magazine, we resolved anew to eat more carrots and fewer potato chips.
Time reports that losing weight may improve your memory and concentration. In one study, scientists found that 150 overweight or obese people who lost weight after bariatric surgery did better on tests of recall and attention. This finding confirms other studies that show a link between obesity and cognitive deficits and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Why? Obesity can affect the “metabolic pathways” that nourish brain cells with oxygen.
That makes three very good reasons to eat healthy foods—to look better, to feel better and to have more brainpower.