Baker's Best of Health

There’s plenty of talk nowadays about working on brainteasers to keep your mind sharp as you age. But there’s not always time to sit down and think your way through a Sudoku grid or tackle the daily crossword puzzle. So give your brain a healthy workout with one of these tricks:

·        Chew on a stick of gum, and you just may remember that phone number you forgot to write down. Studies show that chewing gum improves memory, possibly because it raises heart rate. This boosts the delivery of glucose and oxygen to the brain and creates a surge in insulin, which may be the key to recalling facts.

·        Exercise with a buddy. While it’s true that any exercise enhances blood circulation and therefore memory, it seems that activities—such as tennis or ballroom dancing—that require moving in sync with another person and responding to each other’s movements are the best way to keep your brain on its best behavior.

·        Keep your blood sugar levels stable. One way to do this is by eating several small meals featuring complex carbs and protein throughout the day, rather than three large meals. Smaller meals could include apple slices smeared with peanut butter; a bagel with banana and low-fat cream cheese; cut-up raw veggies with low-fat cottage cheese; a small salad and a handful of nuts; a glass of low-fat milk and half a turkey sandwich.

·        Try a mind-expanding elixir like this Brain Brew: Combine 2 parts dried gingko with 1 part each of dried hawthorn, rosemary, and yarrow, and add the mix to a cup of hot water. Steep, covered, for 15 minutes, and drink 1 or 2 cups a day. (Note: If you take aspirin or blood-thinning medication, consult your doctor before using gingko.)

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