8 Essential Brain Foods for Studying and Staying Focused
Discover 8 important brain foods for studying now.
Whether you're studying for a college exam or preparing for a major presentation at work, you've probably wished there was a way to magically improve your concentration. Especially when there are so many attention-grabbers around us - like app notifications, roommates, tv, or family members.
How can you buckle down and study?
There's no magic pill that will improve your concentration, but there are foods that you can eat that stimulate brain health and help you focus.
Next time you're looking for a study snack, reach for one of these eight brain foods for studying.
Looking to improve your concentration when you are studying? Eat healthy foods which promote concentration!
1. Coffee
Surprised? Yep, the drink that so many of us reach for in the mornings can actually improve your focus - in moderation, of course.
While you shouldn't be relying on coffee to make up for a lack of sleep or energy, the antioxidants in your average cup of joe are good for your brain. Drinking coffee for prolonged periods of time has been linked to a decreased risk of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
Plus, the caffeine doesn't hurt. While the antioxidants are improving your overall brain health, the caffeine keeps you alert and focused.
2. Dark Chocolate
Go ahead, reach for that chocolate.
Let's be clear about this one, though - your average chocolate bar is also packed with sugar, which can make you sluggish and throw off your metabolism. That's why experts single out dark chocolate as a brain healthy food, not milk chocolate.
Similar to coffee, dark chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine, which helps keep you awake and focused on the task at hand. It also has a type of antioxidant called flavonoids, which have been proven to improve memory function.
Flavonoids can also keep your brain healthier for longer, slowing the decline that usually comes with age.
3. Fatty Fish
Alright, coffee and dark chocolate are all fine and good. But what about the meals that you can eat to help you focus?
If you want to make yourself a good lunch to eat before diving into your work, try making a fatty fish your main course. Fish like wild Alaskan salmon, halibut, and trout are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, so they're great options here.
Ever wondered what your brain is made of? Over half of it is fat, which is why eating fatty foods like these is so important. The omega-3 fatty acids in these fish help you build new brain cells, which also improves your memory function.
4. Eggs
Whether you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up, they're a great breakfast to kick off a long day of studying.
You usually see people preaching about the benefits of egg whites on health food websites, but the yolks have incredible benefits for your brain. Egg yolks have concentrated amounts of choline, a micronutrient that your body uses to build the brain cells that help with learning and memory.
Plus, eggs are a great source of vitamins like B6 and B12. Research shows that these vitamins prevent brain shrinkage over time. They can also reduce your risk of Alzheimer's and strokes.
5. Blueberries
This next brain-healthy food is great to throw in smoothies, eat with your breakfast, or take with you as a snack on the go.
Blueberries are good for you for a variety of reasons, but the main brain bonus is the antioxidants they provide. (Seeing a pattern here?)
The antioxidants in blueberries can help you improve your memory, a major plus if you're working on flash cards or memorizing a speech. Plus, like some of the other foods we've mentioned, they're great for your long-term brain health.
Next time you're looking for a quick study snack, ditch the chips and grab a handful of blueberries instead - or any of the remaining foods on our list.
6. Pumpkin Seeds
If you want a little more crunch to your snack, pumpkin seeds are a great option to take with you. These little seeds pack a big punch - not only are they filled with antioxidants, but they also contain important minerals like zinc, iron, and magnesium.
The zinc content is what really helps here. The high concentration of zinc helps heighten your thinking skills, perfect for deep thinking activities like writing an essay or a report.
Pumpkin seeds can even help you beat the study blues. Pumpkin seeds contain magnesium to help you de-stress, and tryptophan to help you produce more of the happy hormone serotonin.
7. Avocados
Millennials might get teased for their love of avocado toast, but they may be onto something.
Avocados are filled with healthy fats, which your body needs to function. Specifically, avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats.
It's a long name for a simple function - they help protect your brain cells. These fats help protect information-carrying cells from deteriorating. A pretty important function, don't you think?
Plus, eating avocados can help to improve the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain, which makes sure that you're operating at the highest level possible. Who knew that eating avocado toast could be so good for you?
8. Oranges
Nope, we're not done talking about antioxidants yet. But we will focus on a different one this time - vitamin C.
Eating just one orange can provide you with all of the vitamin C you need for the day, which is more important for studying than you might think. Vitamin C is connected to a slower mental decline, enhancing your brain health, and fighting off harmful free radicals.
Plus, newer studies think that vitamin C could also help us manage things like anxiety and stress...common side effects of studying.
Discover Nutrition Facts like Brain Foods for Studying
If you're looking for a quick snack to take to the library or a meal to make at home, these brain foods for studying will come in handy. Not only will they help your concentration in the short term, but they can also help protect your brain for the years to come.
If you want to ace your test and be sharp in your old age, these foods will do the trick.
Looking for more information like this? Check out my Brain Health Plan, which is filled with foods and recipes that will help you improve your memory, stabilize your moods, and feel incredible!
As always, I welcome your thoughts and value your feedback. Comment below or email me with your favourite brain foods. Then get back to hitting the books!
