7 Foods That Help Improve Brain Function

You can say that Hot Cheetos dipped in cream cheese is the best study food out there, but you’re only fooling yourself. If you’re stuck in the library for hours on end, do your body a favor and bring some snacks! They’re a great distraction from staring at a book or a computer screen and they keep your brain functioning at top speed (the sooner you’re out of the library-the better).

Here are seven foods that help your memory, improve your focus, and taste great!

1. Chocolate. Who knew chocolate can actually help you study more effectively? Dark contains high amounts of epicatechin that boost concentration. We would love to end the list here, but we can’t.
2. Nuts. Chocolate covered nuts are even better! Walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and pecans are all a great source of Vitamins E and B6, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and antioxidants that help improve overall brain function. Note: if you’re allergic to nuts, don’t eat them. You won’t get any studying done in a hospital.
3. Fish. Salmon, tuna and other cold-water fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids boost energy, enhance learning ability, improve problem-solving skills, and boost memory power and enhance communication between brain cells. Try a nice tuna sandwich or some salmon and brown rice before hitting the library!
4. Ginseng. Try some ginseng tea- it helps with memory retention and overall brain function. If you need to sweeten it up a bit, try honey instead of sugar!
5. Apples. Boost your memory and concentration with the quercetin found in apples. Slice up apples at home and throw them in a Ziploc bag with a side of peanut butter and you’ve got yourself a perfect study snack!
6. Berries. Blueberries are known for improving motor skills and learning capacity while strawberries are rich in fisetin, a flavenoid that improves memory recall. Although berries don’t travel well in backpacks, they’re great in a small Tupperware. We recommend fresh berries and Greek yogurt.
7. Water. Drinking a lot of water is important especially if you’re drinking a lot of caffeine. Studies have shown that dehydration can cause your concentration to drop by as much as 13 per cent, and your short-term memory by around seven per cent. Dehydration is never fun and can lead to headaches and other health problems.

Keeping your body healthy and happy will make your studying more bearable by improving your memory and concentration. Happy Studying!