Just what does the food you eat have to do with how your brain functions? Uhh, more than you think. Everyone knows that what we eat affects our bodies and how we look but what we eat also affects our brain. Why are we telling you this? Because certain foods influence cognitive ability! Such as understanding and processing new information, staying focused on the task at hand and recognizing when we’re full. This is crucial especially when you’re trying to study – retaining new information and staying focused will help you to ace that test. Check out this list of 15 brain foods that will boost your focus and memory.
Walnuts
No, we aren’t being nutty including walnuts in this list. By simply eating a few walnuts in a day, you are improving your cognitive health. Walnuts have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which help to improve mental alertness. The vitamin E helps to ward off Alzheimer’s. I will be adding this to every holiday gift baskets I send out.
Walnuts
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is seriously so versatile, it has over 77 uses and cures, it’s a true power food. Especially when it comes to your brain, it’s jam packed full of benefits. It can help with memory loss as you age so you should always be able to retain what you learned in college. Pretty neat. I’ll add this to the wine baskets immediately.
Coconut Oil
Salmon
If you don’t like seafood, it’s time to start. Salmon is one the most nutritious, brain foods out there, yay! It is packed full with omega-3 fatty acids in order to help keep your brain running smoothly and to improve memory. Plus, if you have ADHD, salmon will help to improve your focus. Not bad for a fish, is it?
Salmon
Avocados
This fruit is literally one of the healthiest you can consume, it may get a bad rep because of their high-fat content, but it’s important to remember that avocados are packed with monosaturated fats. And for most people, the stress associated when studying just makes the skin break out, while consuming avocados keeps your skin glowing and soft. Moreover, avocados have both vitamin K and folate, which helps to improve cognitive function, especially memory and concentration.
Avocado Slices
Dark Chocolate
As a chocoholic, I can’t go a day without munching down on this sweet snack. But there’s a little catch, not all kinds of chocolate are good for you (I know, bummer), but dark chocolate is super healthy. (Yes!)( It’s filled to the brim with flavonols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This can also help to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to both the brain and heart. Which is crucial, but remember the darker the chocolate, the more health benefits. So be sure to buy loads of minimally processed dark chocolate with at least 70 percent of cocoa. That way you can get your chocolate fix and get all of the added brain benefits. This is probably the best news I’ve heard in a while! And yes, it will be added to each and every chocolate gift baskets from now on.
Dark Chocolate
Rosemary
The herb, Rosemary, has a bunch of benefits for your body and brain. It has lots of Carnosic acid and this helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration. Be sure to start including this into your daily diet.
Rosemary
Blueberries
Blueberries have so many great health benefits and they taste good! Blueberries have high levels of gallic acid, meaning they’re a powerful fruit to protecting our brains from degeneration and stress. Be sure to have these around as snacks when you’re having a late night study session.
Blueberries
Egg Yolks
That’s right, egg yolks make the list. For the main reason that they break down bethane, which is a chemical that produces hormones related to happiness. Who wouldn’t want to be happy when studying? No brainer, really.
Egg Yolks
Beets
I’m not sure why but there are quite a few people who don’t like beets, maybe it’s the color or how they look but you should definitely try to add it to your diet. It’s the natural nitrates in beets that will boost blood flow to the brain, helping with mental performance. Additionally, if you’re working out, beets actually help boost energy and performance levels. Sounds like a win-win to me.
Beets
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Did you know that real extra virgin olive oil is truly an amazing brain food? It comes down to the fact that is has powerful antioxidants, polyphenols, in the oil. This includes EVOO in your diet which not only improves learning and memory, but also helps fight against ADDLs, proteins that are toxic to the brain and induce Alzheimer’s. I’d go ahead and add this to your diet as soon as you can, but it’s not recommended to cook with, only have this at cold or room temperature to get the best use of all its benefits.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Bone Broth
Turns out that bone broth is THE ultimate food for healing your gut and, in turn, healing your brain. It’s packed full of health benefits, from boosting your immune system to improving joint health and overcoming food allergies. Its healing amino acids, proline and glycine, keep your immune system functioning properly and help to improve memory. Remembering lecture material is key to passing that class, so be sure to stock up with bone broth.
Bone Broth
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the best brain foods out there. No, really, it is. It has loads of vitamin K and choline, which means it will help keep your memory sharp. Again, it’s all about remembering the material at hand if you want to pass upcoming quizzes or exams.
Broccoli
Green, Leafy Vegetables
Popeye had the right idea with eating lots of spinach, it’s great brain food. But not just spinach, also kale, romaine lettuce and even Swiss chard. All these green foods help to lower your chances of dementia. Plus, it helps to fight inflammation and keep bones strong.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Turmeric
Turmeric is an ancient root which has been used for centuries for its healing properties and we don’t blame our ancestors for turning to this simple spice. Turmeric helps to boost antioxidant levels and keeps your immune system healthy, while improving your brain’s oxygen intake, to keep you alert and able to process information. Bring on the curry!
Turmeric
