Planting a garden filled with key nutrients can help with cognitive decline.
Research shows that various properties found in leafy greens and certain vegetables have been known to heed off cognitive delay. In one study completed in 2018, researchers followed the cognitive function of 960 participants of the Memory and Aging Project over a mean 4.7 years. The study revealed that “consumption of approximately 1 serving per day of green leafy vegetables and foods rich in phylloquinone, lutein, nitrate, folate, α-tocopherol, and kaempferol may help to slow cognitive decline with aging.”[1] These nutrients help protect the brain and promote overall healthy cognitive function.
Kale, spinach, collards, turnip greens, and lettuce are among the most popular vegetables that host the nutrients listed above. Planting and consuming any of these vegetables could help with cognitive decline.
It can feel daunting at first to plant a garden from scratch, but following these easy steps can make it easier. First choose what you’d like to plant! Doing some brief research into which plants are more likely to grow in the climate you live in is a helpful step to ensuring what you plant will grow. Next select a location in your yard that can house a small garden. Starting small can make your gardening project feel less overwhelming. Select a patch of soil and clear a space that is 3 to 4 feet across to begin your first garden bed. You’ll want to give each item you’re planting enough room to grow. The area of land you choose should get a lot of sunlight. You can purchase seeds from local gardening stores at Home Depot or even order online through Amazon. It is important to follow the specific instructions on the back of the seed packet to know how to attend to the specific plant you’re intending to grow.
Now get growing!