Consider a nice juicy ribeye steak and what are some of the first thoughts in your head? You’re probably considering how delicious it tastes or how useful it would be for your health, but there are other factors and benefits you should consider.
Humans have been eating meat for so long, many of the nutrients in your favorite foods are actually useful for maintaining a healthy brain. We all want to have better memory, concentration, and creativity to perform better at work and in our relationships so why not do so with a delicious piece of food?
4 Nutrients in Meat You Can’t Live Without
There are four major nutrients that come from meat, which we all need for the most optimal performance.
Tryptophan
After a Thanksgiving meal full of turkey many people fall asleep. The myth goes, there is so much tryptophan in the dinner that people fall asleep as soon as they finish eating. In reality, most people fall asleep because of too many carbohydrates, but tryptophan does often come from turkey meat and can have an influence on the brain.
Tryptophan is converted into a molecule called 5HTP, which is then converted into serotonin to improve relaxation, mood, and enhance sleep quality. Without enough tryptophan in your diet, you might find it difficult to sleep.
Creatine
Think that creatine is just for gym-goers looking to gain muscle? Not true. Creatine is one of the most important nutrients for producing ATP (energy) for the brain and the body. Many studies show that vegans deficient in creatine can have long-term health problems, such as memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Red meat is typically heaviest in creatine, but there is plenty in chicken and turkey.
Tyrosine
Another amino acid high on your priority list (if you want to be happy) is tyrosine. The L-tyrosine amino acid is used to increase two brain chemicals that are associated with happiness: dopamine and adrenaline. These two chemicals are most associated with happiness, but also handling stress. Studies in military personnel show that tyrosine is an effective amino acid for treating stress and preventing memory loss.
Carnitine
Found in almost any meat you can find, carnitine is yet another great tool for your brain. Carnitine helps to protect the mitochondria that are in your brain cells. The mitochondria is the power center of cells, which means you create more energy for your brain with this amino acid.
Carnitine is also helpful for protecting your brain from long-term ill health effects. Protecting your brain in the long run is worth the investment especially when you just get to eat more meat!
BONUS: Choline
If you want to get some bonus points with your meat consumption, you can even try to stomach some liver and kidney. These organ means might not seem the most appetizing, but they are rich in choline. This nutrient helps you to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, which help with memory formation and learning ability.
