Brain and Nutrition Facts

• The brain needs a lot of energy:  It extracts approximately 50% of the oxygen and 10% of the glucose from arterial blood.
• Intake of Omega-3 fatty acids is associated with decreased risk of cognitive decline.
• Intake of vegetables (and thus antioxidants) is associated with decreased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
• Tobacco use increases risks of cognitive decline and dementia.
• Moderate doses of caffeine can increase alertness but there is no clear sustained lifetime benefit.
• Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk of dementia.