Foods to improve Brainpower

Are you someone who struggles with memorizing things? Or do you sit at your desks for hours but are unable to concentrate? There’s a high chance that your brain is not working in its peak condition. This is problematic for a multitude of reasons. Allow me to enunciate; the Brain is the center of the body which helps us walk, talk, play, see and do everything; from the most basic chores to the most complicated mathematic problems. The brain is also in charge of all your other body parts. Now you might have an idea (if you didn’t already) regarding the importance of the brain. The food we eat plays a major role in the functioning of the brain to its fullest potential; this is known as brainpower. So, today let’s take a glance at some of the many foods to improve brainpower.

1. Coffee:

If you are a coffee lover like me, you’re about to be very happy. 
Like everything else, when consumed in moderation, coffee as a beverage can do wonders.

Two main components in coffee — Caffeine and Antioxidants — can help support brain health.

The caffeine found in coffee has several positive effects on the brain, including:

• Increased Alertness: Caffeine keeps your brain alert by blocking adenosine, a chemical messenger that makes you feel sleepy.
• Improved Mood: Caffeine may also boost some of your “feel-good” neurotransmitters, such as dopamine.
• Sharpened Concentration: One study found that caffeine consumption led to short-term improvements in attention and alertness in participants completing a cognition test.

Moreover, drinking coffee over the long-term is also linked to a reduced risk of neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The largest risk reduction is in those adults who consume 3-4 cups daily. This could at least be partly due to coffee’s high concentration of antioxidants.

“So, Craving Cup of Coffee? Go grab it!”

2. Blueberries:

Brace yourselves, we are about to get technical.

Blueberries and other deeply colored berries deliver anthocyanins, a group of plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. They provide you with numerous health benefits, including some that are specifically for your brain.

Antioxidants act against both oxidative stress and inflammation, conditions that can contribute to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Some of the antioxidants in blueberries accumulate in the brain and help improve communication between brain cells.

Further, according to one review of 11 studies, blueberries could help improve memory and certain cognitive processes in children and older adults.

PRO TIP – Try sprinkling them over your breakfast cereal, adding them to a smoothie, or enjoying as is for a simple snack.

3. Dark Chocolate: Foods to Improve Brainpower

Next in the foods to improve brainpower list is my personal favorite!

Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are packed with a few brain-boosting compounds, including flavonoids, caffeine, and antioxidants. These benefits are not seen with regular milk chocolate, which contains between 10–50% cocoa.

Flavonoids are a group of antioxidant plant compounds. It should be noted that, according to one study in over 900 people, those who ate chocolate more frequently performed better in a series of mental tasks, including some involving memory, compared with those who rarely ate it. Apart from this, chocolate is also a legitimate mood booster. One study found that participants who ate chocolate experienced increased positive feelings compared to those who ate crackers.

Hence, it is a good idea to indulge in chocolaty affairs every now and then! 

4. Oranges – Foods to improve Brainpower

You can get almost all the vitamin C you need in a day by eating one medium orange.

Doing so is important for brain health since vitamin C is a key factor in preventing mental decline.

Additionally, having higher levels of vitamin C in the blood was associated with improvements in tasks involving focus, memory, attention, and decision speed.

Vitamin C is indeed a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off the free radicals that can damage brain cells. Besides, vitamin C supports brain health as you age and may protect against conditions like major depressive disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

You can also get high amounts of vitamin C from other foods like bell peppers, guava, kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Remember this formula – If it’s juicy, it’s citrus! 

5. Peanuts:

Peanuts are legumes with excellent nutritional profile. They contain plenty of unsaturated fats and protein to keep a person’s energy levels up throughout the day.

Peanuts also provide key vitamins and minerals to keep the brain healthy, including high levels of vitamin E and resveratrol.

Bare with me through the technicalities but to illustrate; Resveratrol is a natural non-flavonoid antioxidant found in peanuts, mulberries, and rhubarb. Evidence from a review article suggests that resveratrol can have protective effects, such as helping to prevent cancers, inflammation, and neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Foods that improve brainpower are meant to improve memory, concentration, intellect, brain health and the overall functioning of the brain. They are meant to make our brain work to the fullest.

Many foods can help keep your brain healthy.

Some foods, such as the fruits and vegetables in this list, as well as tea and coffee, have antioxidants that help protect your brain from damage.

Others, such as nuts and eggs, contain nutrients that support memory and brain development.

You can help support your brain health and boost your alertness, memory, and mood by strategically including these foods in your diet.

Once you’re done with reaping the benefits of foods for brainpower, Read about the importance of puzzles and riddles!