01/28/2026
Some diets have been shown to provide a variety of health benefits. The Mediterranean diet — which focuses on foods like vegetables, whole grains and olive oil — is known for being heart-healthy. But it can also be good for your brain, by minimizing white and gray matter changes.
“It has been found that the Mediterranean diet also decreases white matter changes,” says memory and brain health specialist Babak Tousi, MD. “It increased thickness in gray parts of the brain, we call it the cortex of the brain where the thinking process is.”
Here are some brain foods to add to your plate:
Fish
Turns out, the “chicken of the sea” is more than a healthy meat alternative — it also serves as good brain fuel. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for learning and memory.
Some examples of fish and seafood products to add to your diet include:
-Salmon.
-Tuna.
-Herring.
-Sardines.
Berries
“Add color to your plate,” recommends Dr. Tousi. Making sure your meals have a mix of different fruits and vegetables is a good way to get a balance of nutrition for your body and brain.
Some delicious berries to add to your diet include:
-Blueberries.
-Strawberries.
-Blackberries.
Whole grains
Another food swap that could have a positive impact on brain health is switching out refined carbohydrates with whole grains. Along with other health benefits, whole grains can have a positive impact on brain health because of the way they’re processed in your body.
Try swapping out your simple carbs with whole-grain substitutions such as:
-Brown rice.
-Quinoa.
-Oatmeal.
-Whole-grain bread.
-Whole-grain pasta.
-Buckwheat.
Overall, being mindful of what you eat can have many health benefits for your whole body — including your brain and memory. Even small changes can make a big difference. Explore new diets or switch out certain foods in your daily meals to deliver some brain-boosting goodness.