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7 Foods to increase brain power
If you’re taking on the FRM course, you’ll need all the energy and concentration one can muster. If you aspire to have a leading position in the corporate world, passing your exams is key towards a successful career.
Fueling your mind and body with the right foods is your best option for having the mental clarity to help you thrive. Completing your studies is much more challenging than it seems, and your diet plays a significant role in this.
In this article, we’ll be talking about 7 foods to increase brain power while completing your lessons.
Blueberries
Although fruits are known to be nutritious for your body, blueberries specifically contain antioxidants that improve your memory and aid in preventing memory loss.
When you’re studying and trying to find a snack to consume, eating blueberries can be beneficial for your mental state.
Antioxidants also benefit both oxidative stress and inflammation that may negatively impact both your physical and mental health.
Studies have shown that eating blueberries is linked to a slower cognitive decline so you’re bound to have more focus and concentration by regularly eating blueberries during your course of study.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate doesn’t just satisfy your sweet cravings, but it’s an effective go-to food when you need to increase your attention span.
Both dark chocolate and cocoa powder have brain-boosting compounds such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and caffeine.
Flavonoids contained in dark chocolate specifically target the area of your brain that deals with learning and memory.
Studies conducted show that those who regularly ate dark chocolate performed better in mental tasks, including those involving memory.
Dark chocolate doesn’t just do wonders for your mental health, but it acts as a mood booster as well.
And remember, your mood affects your mental functions so much so when you feel positive emotions, you’ll naturally perform better.
Nuts
Nuts are a popular choice to take before any exam that requires both memory and concentration (which is pretty much all of them).
Nuts have been proven to not only benefit your heart health but also your mental health and clarity.
Studies have shown that regular consumption of nuts improved cognition and prevented neurodegenerative diseases.
Other studies also show that those who regularly ate nuts had a shaper memory than those who didn’t.
Healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins contained in nuts may explain the significant mental benefits they can provide.
With this being said, walnuts provide the most benefits with their omega-3 factors.
Eggs
Compared to the others in this list, eggs don’t just act as a snack, but they make up very important parts of any nutritious meal. They have several compounds linked to brain health that provide better memory.
Eggs also contain vitamins B6 and B12, choline, and folate, which are the factors why it’s extremely good for you.
Out of all of these, choline is the one aspect that most people don’t get enough of, which contributes to poor memory and focus.
Both B vitamins that eggs contain also help reduce depression as eggs are a well-known mood-lifter.
Lastly, eggs are an adequate source of protein so it’s the perfect food that will leave you both satisfied and focused for your efforts.
Oily fish
Fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines are a recommendable food choice to improve your clarity and focus. They’re comprised of omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve the neurons in your brain cells.
Studies have proven that those individuals with high levels of omega-3 had improved blood flow in their brain functions.
When you regularly have oily fish in your day, your cognitive and thinking abilities will then naturally increase.
The best thing about oily fish is that it’s perfect, whether as a snack or a complete meal. 60% of your brain is comprised of fat, and much of that amount is the omega-3 variety.
Your brain requires omega-3 for both your brain and nerve cells, for better learning and memory.
This is why when you eat food like tuna before an exam or important event, your mind is sharper and clearer than usual.
Turmeric
A lot of people aren’t big fans of the taste, but turmeric has several benefits. The curcumin found in turmeric has been found to improve memory, even those with diseases like Alzheimer’s.
It also provides both dopamine and serotonin in your body, which are hormones that make you feel good. Lastly, it encourages brain cell growth, which delayed mental decline.
Lastly, curcumin also crosses the blood-brain barrier, which only means it benefits your brain directly. Yep, eating food like curry or certain potato dishes can really benefit all the student out there.
Coffee
Coffee is perhaps the most popular energy booster that has several benefits. In fact, most people around the world rely on coffee for a quick boost in the morning.
It has both caffeine and antioxidants, similar to what is contained in dark chocolate.
It’s mostly caffeine that aids in focus and for a better attention span.
This wonder drink keeps you alert, whether you’re memorizing for an exam or walking into an important meeting. The caffeine blocks adenosine, which contributes to sleepiness and drowsiness.
Coffee is also responsible for making you feel good and encourages concentration throughout the day. There’s a reason why it’s the go-to drink of millions of individuals every day.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, I hope this article was able to shed insight on the recommended foods you should take to increase brain power.
With these, you’ll have the mental clarity and focus to complete your studies for a more successful career.
Your diet plays an important role in clarity and focus and by eating food that naturally increases brain power, you’ll be completing your course and ready to tackle your career goals.
Thank you for reading and be sure to try the following links for even more information:
Always nourish your body and mind,
The QuestionBank Family