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Many fruits and vegetables available this time of year contain antioxidant properties that protect the brain from oxidative stress and disease.3
Here are five kinds of fall produce you should indulge in this fall—including sweet potatoes.

۱. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a vibrant, orange root rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber.4 This holiday meal staple has antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and improve brain cell communication, according to Abayev.
Some animal studies have found a link between purple sweet potatoes and improved memory and cognitive function, but more research is needed to confirm the same effect in humans.5
Other studies show that a long-term diet rich in beta-carotene helps maintain cognitive function, especially when combined with other antioxidants like vitamins E and C.6

۲. Ginger
Ginger is a spicy root used in pumpkin pies and cozy fall soups. This seasonal ingredient contains vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that help fight oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, “which are believed to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory loss,” Mok said.7
Research from 2011 found that ginger extract helped enhance memory in a group of healthy middle-aged women.8 A 2021 review article suggested that ginger may help prevent dementia, in part due to the root’s anti-inflammatory effects.9
“One of the favorite ways I like to enjoy ginger is to make a tea,” Mok said. “All you have to do is steep a knob of ginger root in boiling water and maybe add a little lemon and honey to taste.”

۳. Beets
Beets are colorful root vegetables rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like folate, potassium, iron, and vitamin C.10 The folate in beets helps lower homocysteine levels, an amino acid that can damage blood vessels and contribute to heart disease. High levels of homocysteine are also linked to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.11
Beets are also a good source of dietary nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide to improve blood flow, according to Mok.
“Dietary nitrates may protect against dementia and memory loss because of the way that they help to improve blood flow to our brain,” she added.

۴. Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens have tons of brain health benefits. These leafy greens contain potassium, iron, and vitamins E, K, and C.16
Research has shown that adding one serving of these greens to your diet every day can help slow age-related cognitive decline.2
When shopping for leafy greens, look for vibrant greens that are not wilted, brown, or yellow, Mok said.
“A really easy way to incorporate more greens into our diet is through soups, since it is the season. You get all the benefits from those leafy greens without worrying about losing some of those nutrients from boiling because all those nutrients from the greens will be going into the soup,”
Mok said.