When it comes to brain health, there’s nothing fishy about fish. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are an integral part of cell membranes — including those of brain cells.
Older adults who ate at least one serving of fatty fish such as salmon once a week performed better in cognitive skills, showing fewer negative brain changes than adults who didn’t eat fish at least once a week, according to a study published in Neurology in 2016. Getting omega-3 fatty acids straight from fresh fish seems to work better than taking fish oil supplements, according to a study published in Nutrition & Diabetes in 2017.
Veggies are good for the brain, too. Older adults who ate at least 1.3 servings of green, leafy vegetables every day showed significantly slower rates of mental decline than those who didn’t, according to a Rush University Medical Center study published in 2018 in Neurology.
In this colorful and delicious poke bowl recipe, smoked salmon takes the starring role. The supporting cast of mixed greens, red bell peppers, carrots and onions boosts both taste and health.
This poke bowl recipe is not only delicious, but it’s also simple to make and easy to tweak to suit your tastes. Add extra veggies like avocado or edamame, stir in toasted sesame seeds or mix the salmon with low-fat extra-spicy mayo, if desired.
Above Image: Smoked salmon poke bowl. Photo by Kyle Edwards. Originally published in the Spring/Summer 2020 issue.
Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of 12 books, with two more books on the way in 2020.
