Are you feeling the year-end brain fog as well? I can feel my brainpower decreasing each day as summer draws closer!
Unfortunately, there is no magic tablet to take that will instantly improve cognitive brain power, but there are some foods that you can incorporate into your diet that will sharpen your brain power and boost concentration.
Why the brain should always be top-priority
Your brain is the control center of your body. It’s in charge of keeping your heart beating and your lungs breathing – allowing you to move, feel, and think. So, it only makes sense that your brain should be at the top of your priority list.
The foods we eat play a role in keeping our brains healthy and can improve specific mental tasks; including memory and concentration.
Here are 5 brain boosting foods that will have you thinking clearer
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Fatty Fish
If you talk about brain food, with most people, the first thing that comes to mind is fatty fish, but this isn’t an old fishwives’ tale.
Fatty fish, including salmon, trout, tuna, herring, and sardines, are all rich sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. Your brain uses omega-3 fatty acids to build brain and nerve cells, and these fats are essential for learning and memory.
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- Blueberries
Blueberries hold many benefits, some specifically for your brain. We know blueberries are loaded with antioxidants but what we don’t often hear is that those antioxidants will help to improve memory and cognitive processes.
You can enjoy them as a snack or sprinkle them over oats for breakfast (they’re even more impactful if you eat them on their own first).
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- Tumeric
Tumeric has become the talk of the town in the world of ingredients and it’s more than just a recipe for great curry. Tumeric holds powerful benefits for your brain too because its able to cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning it can go directly to the brain and target the brain cells. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can improve memory and ease depression.
- Broccoli
We all remember the trauma we experienced when attempting to eat broccoli as kids, but for those who still can’t stomach the little green devils, you might want to think again. Broccoli is high in Vitamin K which is a protection against brain damage.
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- Dark Chocolate
If you need a little sweet treat, dark chocolate is healthy and holds brain-boosting components!
Dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, which are a group of antioxidant plant compounds. The flavonoids in chocolate gather in the areas of the brain that deal with learning and memory.
So next time you crave chocolate, reach for the dark chocolate and forget about the guilt, it’s improving your memory.
