By including some of these smart-foods in your diet, you should easily be able to boost your mental prowess and fight the brain drain that’s become a by-product of today’s stressful environment.
Caffeine is a sure fire stress-reliever and a brain-booster. We all know how a cup of coffee quickly revives sagging concentration. Besides coffee, caffeine is also found in cocoa, energy drinks and chocolate, which is why they instantly lift up our mood. It’s better to remember though, that the effects of caffeine are short-term, and too much of it may actually slow down that wake-up buzz, so less is more.
Sugar is your brain’s preferred source of energy production. Your body processes glucose, not table sugar, from the foods you eat, mostly carbs or fructose, and that fuels a boost to memory and mental productivity. But you don’t want to pack on the pounds, so no bowls full of dessert, but rather a glass of fresh fruit juice.
A healthy breakfast is key to an efficient day. Studies have shown that students who begin their day with a balanced breakfast – high-fibre wholegrain cereal, milk, eggs and coffee, consistently perform better in class than those who skip their morning meal.
Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, a bright-red carotene pigment that is a powerful antioxidant. Adding more tomatoes to your salad can protect against radical damage to brain cells, and be particularly helpful in warding off memory loss.
Broccoli is rich in vitamin K, which helps in improving cognitive function in the brain. It’s better to have it steamed, maybe with a dash of olive oil, to get the best out of the nutrients it contains.
Fish really is the ultimate brain food. As it’s abundant in Omega 3 fatty acids, a regular intake of fish enhances memory, lowers the risk of stroke and dementia, and boosts brain function.