By just listening to all that buzz about food and supplements that are being sold in the market, you’ll think that they’re there to cure and make everything all better—from memory sharpening, increasing one’s attention span, and even enhancing the brain’s functions. But the real question is, do these claims really hold true? Or are these a part of yet another hype to gain attention from the oftentimes, clueless masses.
The human body is normally designed to age and is subject to wear and tear. But the good thing is, the chances of maintaining a healthy brain increases if we start to incorporate some “smart” foods into our everyday diets. So what exactly are examples of these foods? Find out below:
- Caffeine can boost your alertness levels.
This is by no means the magic serum that can provide you with high levels of intelligence, but there are certain substances existing in this planet, like caffeine, which can help pump up you blood and help you concentrate. Caffeine is often found in various products like chocolates, tea, coffee, energy drinks and some medications. It gives you that kind of wake-up buzz which can spike your alert energy levels, albeit only for a short time. Be careful not to overdo it though, as too much caffeine can make you very jittery and uncomfortable.
2. Sugar can enhance your brain’s alertness.
Glucose is your brain’s primary source of fuel and that comes from the carbohydrates and sugars that you eat. So if you find yourself in a bind and wishes to create a short-term increase in your memory and brain power, then try having something sweet to drink, say a glass of orange juice. Go easy on the sugars though as too much of it can make you gain a bit of weight.
3. Don’t skip your breakfast.
Heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, that certainly is true. Research has found out that eating breakfast improves one’s short term memory as well as attention span. Examples of good breakfast foods include whole grains, fruits and dairy. Be careful though as too much caloric intake during breakfast is said to hamper concentration.
4. Go fish.
By this we meant, eat fish as it can be an excellent source of proteins and omega 3 fatty acids—a compound that’s been linked to better brain and cardiovascular health. Studies have found out that people whose diets are rich in omega 3s have lower risks for developing strokes, dementia and has a slower rate of mental decline.
5. Get your daily dose of chocolates and nuts.
Yes, you’ve read that right, you can eat chocolate everyday! However, make sure that you’ll be consuming dark chocolate which contains a lot of antioxidants and caffeine too that can help with your focus. Nuts and seeds on the other hand are great sources of vitamin E which is helpful is slowing down the rates of cognitive decline.
6. Eat more whole grains and fruits
Whole grains and fruits contribute to good heart and brain health. Intake of such reduces the risk of plaque build up in the arterial walls which can lead to better blood circulation to the brain and all other parts of the body.
7. Blueberries are the bomb!
When it comes to fruits, this one takes the cake as they come in packed with powerful antioxidants. These compounds battle the harmful free radicals in the body—compounds that causes premature skin aging, and other health hazards. Also, studies have shown that antioxidants in blueberries may help in reducing the effects of age-related illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
