Exams are upon us, and children and parents are all going bonkers with studies, revisions, re-revisions, and of course, forgetting important stuff you just studied. So, ever wondered if there is a way to keep your brain active, focused and attentive? What if we told you that you could do all this by having some yummy food or avoiding certain types of food?
Probably one of the best ways to keep your mind and body alert and active for the day is to avoid consuming too many carbs with your meals. Instead, shift to lean proteins, leafy greens, fruits or fruit juices (without or with very little sugar, of course), eggs and fish oils. Here’s a look at 5 brain foods to eat especially when studying for exams, and otherwise too.
Avocadoes: Avocadoes are believed to be one of the best fruits to improve brain functioning. Apart from the fact that these are one of the healthiest fruits itself, avocadoes contain folate and vitamin K. Vitamin K helps in improving memory and focus. It also improves the brain’s cognitive function and boosts concentration.
Eggs: You can fry it, you can boil it, you can poach it, or you can even eat it raw. Whichever way you choose, the nutrient- rich eggs are one of the healthiest and best brain foods ever. Regarded as the ‘complete’ source of protein as it contains all nine essential amino acids required by the body, eggs are also rich in choline, a nutrient that is critical for neurocognitive development.
Leafy greens: Dark leafy greens are a rich source of vitamin K, antioxidants and naturally occurring nitrates as well as B6 and B12. The K vitamin helps in building pathways in the brain. B6 and B12, meanwhile, are considered to help improve alertness and memory. What more could you ask for during finals week, huh?
Beetroot: Beets are rich in natural nitrates which help in boosting the blood flow to the brain. Improved blood flow results in improved brain functioning.
Coconut oil: The humble coconut oil contains high levels of medium-chain triglycerides that are very helpful in breaking down ketones in the body. Ketones are produced by the liver as a back-up source of fuel for the brain. What’s more, studies have shown that coconut oil is beneficial for age-related memory loss and even Alzheimer’s disease.