How to Eat Well and Study Better: Student Brain Food

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Imagine how it would be like staying for the whole day without eating any food and you still have to study. Let us take a wild guess: you would not grasp even a single thing due to lack of concentration or maybe you’d be going through the same line over and over for hours. Food is very important for the normal functioning of the brain and the whole of the human body.

Nonetheless, not every food is good for your mental well-being. There are certain foods that help boost our ability to focus, memory retention and make us more alert. Would you like to boost your grade? We guess so. Allow us to take you through some of the foods that your brain needs (brain food) that will enable you to study better.

“Any breakfast that inspires you to wake up is a good breakfast. No one ever said that you can’t pamper yourself in the morning. Most students skip breakfast because of their busy schedules, but they tend to forget that breakfast is the most important dish of the day. It is also vital as it improves memory and concentration. Lack of breakfast can lead to the fact that you miss a lot of nutrients and health benefits, as we discussed above” –  stated Lori Wade, the head of Custom-Writings in an interview on their official website. So what are you waiting for? Spice up your breakfast!

Which of these 11 would you like to have for breakfast tomorrow?

 

Nuts

 

 

Pistachios, almonds, and walnuts contain a high level of vital fatty acids important for optimum brain performance. They also contain a good amount of iron and also provide oxygen to the brain which increases mental alertness and retention of information.

 

 

2. Fish

 

The fats in salmon are what makes fish a very nutritious brain food. Fish generally contains the omega 3 fatty acids which are important in forming new neural pathways. The brain is made up of fatty tissues, therefore, eating food rich in fatty acids will help increase your focus and make you study better.

 

 

3. Dark Chocolate

 

We all love eating chocolate because of how sweet it is. If you are a chocolate lover, then there are more reasons to continue eating dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is rich in iron, fiber, and magnesium which helps the brain receive blood flow. The flavanols increase blood flow and functioning of the heart. This in return improves the memory and increases alertness and clarity.

 

4. Apples

 

 

An apple a day not only keeps the doctor away but is also able to improve your study habits and academic performance tremendously. Apples contain high levels of acetylcholine which increases movement and sensory perception. The peel of this fruit also contains powerful antioxidants and quercetin which enhances memory function. Apples are also capable of reducing anxiety – you should consider eating one before walking into an exam room.

 

5. Berries

 

 

Have you ever tried eating berries just before walking into an exam room? If you haven’t then you may want to consider doing so for your next exam. Berries contain phytonutrients and antioxidants that improve the flow of blood to the brain and also increase neural activity. They also reduce toxin levels in the bloodstream. The nutrients in berries have a high capability of improving memory, verbal comprehension, decision making and numerical ability.

 

 

6. Turmeric

 

Turmeric, an Indian spice, is a well-known anti-oxidant used to help in the reduction of fatigue and cancer. Curcumin in turmeric elevates the level of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein which acts as brain fertilizer for the growth of new brain cells. Turmerone stimulates the production of new neurons and encourages the brain to repair itself.

 

 

7. Eggs

 

Eggs are the main source of vitamin B12 which is essential for vegetarians since it’s the only source apart from meat. Eggs also contain choline, a B complex related nutrient which is a precursor of acetylcholine.

 

8. Stay Hydrated

 

 

Water is life is not just a phrase but a working and proven theory. The brain contains 73% of water, but it only takes 2% of dehydration to diminish your memory, attention and cognitive skills. Keeping hydrated helps your brain work optimally, and it is recommended to keep a large glass full of water near you and refill it regularly.

A dehydrated brain is in pain, slow to react and sensitive to loud noises and light. Hangovers are also a sign of dehydrated brain.

 

9. Bone Broth

 

 

This was formerly considered as a peasant’s drink. However, it has become so popular for its leading ability to ease the pain. It’s also essential for auto-immune disorders, and a powerful rest and sleep aid. Sufficient sleep and rest are crucial for the functioning of the brain.

Bone broth will help you to get to sleep quicker and wake up more refreshed.

 

 

10. Yogurt

 

When we think of yogurt or see it, most of us start salivating because of its irresistible sweetness. Yogurt is not only sweet but also useful for brain function. It contains billions of useful probiotics which are essential in the replacement of the harmful bacteria in our gut. Excellently fermented yogurt packed with the bacteria and thousands of nutritive by-products helps in healing of the gut. Yogurt alone may not give the brain a boost, but it contains other brain foods like the berries which we saw earlier on to be useful in increment of neural activity.

 

 

11. Dark Leafy Greens

 

Most people fear taking greens and would prefer taking them in the form of supplements rather than consuming them in their natural form. All dark greens are packed with vitamin K and nitrates. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. It is also one of the vital nutrients responsible for the formation of new neuro-pathways. Spinach, for instance, is full of folic acid and has been proven to be able to reverse memory loss.

Nevertheless, there are certain meals which are just harmful to the brain and may end up destroying the important brain cells and even retard certain brain functions. Teenagers like eating a lot of junk food which is very unhealthy, yet this is the most crucial stage for the brain development. In fact, one study in the UK showed that 35% of the respondents skipped a meal and snacked instead every couple of days.

Eating healthy is very crucial for the growing youth, and dark leafy greens, though not popular, are very important for their development. There are also certain foods which have both positive and negative impact on the brain, for instance, caffeine. The brain needs the best coffee but just the right amount.

 
Conclusion
To sum it up, the diet is essential for mental performance. Poor dieting habits will lead to poor performance. Feed your brain with the proper diet and see it perform wonders in your academic performance.

Have you been feeding your brain with the correct diet? Let us know how this has impacted your studies.

 

Author’s Bio: Charles is a career mentor, motivational speaker & human resources consultant with over 10 years of experience in HR sector. Apart from career mentoring, he loves photography and football. Find him on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook & Google+.

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