Brownies for a Better Brain

Why not enjoy a dessert that also boosts brain function? I’ll start with the lists of ingredients. After that, I’ll explain how your brain will benefit. At the end, I’ll explain how to get it done.

Ingredients:

¼ cup flour

2 eggs

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

A double-pinch of salt

½ cup sugar

3 ounces dark chocolate

Handful of milk chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup chopped walnuts

⅜ cup butter

Brain Benefits:

Eggs

The incredible edible egg provides some of the highest quantities of choline of any food. Choline is an essential nutrient that is required for normal development and function of the brain. Choline promotes brain health in several ways including the maintenance of structural integrity of cell membranes and the regulation of signals that pass between neurons (brain cells). Choline also may function through epigenetics (how your environment can change the way genes work) by chemically altering DNA (methylation) and changing the expression of neuronal genes.

Not getting enough choline in your diet may have adverse effects on brain health. Dysregulated genes may contribute to some neurodegenerative disorders (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gherig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease). It may also contribute to the etiology of stress-related disorders and age-related decline in memory later in life.

In fact, getting plenty of choline early in life enhances performance in memory-related tasks during adulthood. And maintaining adequate choline intake throughout life may act as a neuroprotectant that may mitigate some of the adverse effects of neurodegenerative disorders.

Cinnamon

I’ve always adored cinnamon. Its aroma warms the cockles of my heart and its flavor makes me feel as if I’m wrapped up in an old fairy tale. But I was floored when I reviewed some of the latest research regarding the effects of cinnamon on brain health.

Cinnamon is a type of laurel plant (believe it or not, there are almost three thousand members of the Lauraceae family). Cinnamon happens to be chock full of medically active chemicals. What’s more, some of these compounds have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) (not too many chemicals can). A compound must cross the BBB to directly affect the components of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord etc.). Some extracts of cinnamon include cinnamaldehyde and flavonoids (polyphenol species of chemicals) such as catechin and epigallocatechin gallate.

Glioblastoma Multiforme. First and foremost, I’d like to relay the findings of a team of scientists from Atlanta. In 2023, the researchers reported on their work with a highly purified cinnamaldehyde elixir. Amazingly, they discovered the wonderful spice may be useful in fighting brain cancer. And not just any brain cancer, either. The scientists were investigating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), one of the most deadly kinds of malignant brain cancers.

It will be some time before this research alters patient care, though. To my knowledge, no doctors have tried using cinnamon derivatives to treat real live patients yet. The 2023 report didn’t even rise to the level of experimental animals. The Atlanta investigation was performed on cells (U87eGFP cell line) in a test tube.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a cerebral scourge, which steals the memory of millions of people around the world each and every year. What’s worse, there’s no known cure for AD. Cinnamon, though, may provide a step in the right direction.

A plethora of traditional herbs (known to the Indian ayurvedic system) have been demonstrated to improve memory and encourage neurogenesis (the formation of new brain cells). In this vein, in 2023, a multinational team of researchers reported on the cerebrally salutary properties of Turmeric, Gingko, Ashwagandha, Shankhpushpi, Giloy, Gotu kola, Garlic, Tulsi, Ginger, and, of course, our good buddy Cinnamon.

You’re probably wondering: How does cinnamon potentially benefit those suffering from AD? Might cinnamon help one prevent AD?

Some hallmarks of AD, seen by looking at neurons (brain cells) under the microscope, are the accumulation of Tau protein neuro fibrillary tangles and the development of amyloid-beta plaques. The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon may prevent the buildup of these devastating proteins.

That’s not all: Several FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of AD work by blocking the brain activity of acetylcholinesterase. These medicines include: donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, and tacrine. It turns out that cinnamon naturally inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity.

As if that weren’t enough, get this: you may not need to ingest cinnamon to reap the anti-dementia benefits. In 2021, Malaysian investigators reported on the benefits of cinnamon’s aroma. The scientists reviewed more than one hundred scientific articles. They discovered that cinnamon essential oil is beneficial in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, including both AD and Parkinson’s Disease.

Insomnia. After reading about brain cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease, you’re probably saying to yourself. “Insomnia… no biggie.” Unless, of course, you’ve just had a shitty night’s sleep and you’ve been walking around like a zombie all day.

In 2021, Indonesian scientists investigated some very tired rats. The experiments began by inducing insomnia in thirty such rodents and then trying to get them to catch a few Zs. Cinnamon extract did the trick. Further evaluation revealed that the animals who enjoyed some cinnamon before nap time had brains overflowing with serotonin and melatonin. The rats who were cured of insomnia also had decreased brain norepinephrine levels.

Chocolate

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is rich in many beneficial substances. In fact, you’ll probably want to make brownies for two, because chocolate is rich in phenylethylamine, a chemical which transmits feelings of love in your brain (think afternoon delight).

Chocolate boasts several beneficial phytochemicals (ubiquitous plant chemicals). Cocoa flavanols and other polyphenols have been reported to have multiple brain benefits. Red wine is famous for its polyphenol content, but it is not alone. Besides chocolate, polyphenols are present in many foods including the skin of grapes, pomegranate and plums. A 100-gram serving of dark chocolate offers over 100 milligrams of flavan-3-ols, a variety that you might better recognize as catechins. Catechins are especially nutrient-rich and beneficial for a wide array of different health concerns, from inflammation to metabolic syndrome to cancer prevention. Flavan-3-ols can be beneficial for brain health and have been observed to prevent premature aging and deterioration of brain function, which is related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Polyphenols and flavanols have been reported to increase cerebral blood flow and improve brain metabolism. On this basis, scientists believe chocolate may help prevent stroke, or if a stroke occurs, make your brain more resistant to damage from stroke. Other benefits may include protection against mood disorders.

Walnuts

In 2020, New York scientists issued a report regarding the accumulating evidence that Walnuts confer multiple benefits upon the brain. Walnuts contain several components that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and they even look like wrinkly little brains. Several human studies have demonstrated that a walnut-enriched diet may help to maintain cognitive functions (such as problem solving, language and memory) and may reduce the risk of developing, delay the onset and/or slow the progression of dementia. Walnuts have been shown to decrease the accumulation of brain proteins (amyloid plaques) that cause Alzheimer’s Disease. Walnuts may also fight Parkinson's disease, stroke, and depression, as well as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. What’s more, in 2021 scientists reviewed multiple scientific studies regarding walnut consumption and cognitive functions. Five out of the six studies reviewed revealed that eating walnuts boasts a positive association between thinking, memory and language function.

Did dinner with that loudmouth brother-in-law give you a headache that won’t go away. Walnuts to the rescue! A balance of omega fatty acids in the diet, with a high ratio of omega 3 to omega 6, may reduce migraines. Not all fatty acids are the same. Walnuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which is also found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and anchovy and nuts and seeds like walnut, chia and flax and is the best for your brain. Omega 6, found in soybeans and some other nuts is least good. Omega 9, found in avocado, is in between.

vanilla extract.

Vanilla

Neuroscientists have demonstrated that the pod of the vanilla flower is packed with brain power. In 2016, Korean scientists studying the brains of mice, determined that eating vanilla encouraged the growth of neurons in the hippocampus. Vanilla also increased BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor). BDNF helps support survival of existing neurons (under normal circumstances and after injury) and encourages growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses (areas where nerves join).

Don’t forget to sniff the vanilla and enjoy the aroma before you mix it into your smoothie. In 2015, Chinese scientists showed the olfactory pathway may be a key component to unlocking the brain benefits of vanilla. The researchers, studying an animal model of depression, discovered that rats adore the smell. It turns out that the aroma of Vanilla may increase monoamine concentration in your brain. Vanilla improved mood, alleviated depressive behaviors and induced calmness.

Directions:

1- Use a double boiler to melt and mix chocolate and butter until smooth

2- Mix flour, cinnamon and salt

3- Beat eggs, vanilla and sugar until thick

4- Slowly add flour mixture to egg mixture

5- Slowly add chocolate mixture

6- Toss in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts

7- Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes