As a student, you try to understand and remember pages of new information every day. This might mean long nights, early mornings, and long afternoons of hardcore studying. It is essential to provide your body and brain with fuel to keep you going. Hours of studying require good food to keep you and your brain energized. Here are seven brain foods to help clear the study fog:
Dark Chocolate
If it's your dream to have an excellent excuse to eat chocolate more, then you're in luck. Dark chocolate is full of nutrients and antioxidants to help cancer prevention, heart health, brain health, and more. The darker the chocolate, the better because darker chocolates contain higher magnesium, potassium, and fiber concentrations.
Avocados
Avocados are not only highly versatile, but they can also contribute to brain health! They have high levels of lutein, which is a carotenoid that can accumulate in your brain and eyes. High lutein intake and blood lutein levels are associated with better mental performance and function.
Fish
Fish is a healthy and tasty option for students looking for more than just a study snack. Different studies have linked high fish consumption to better mental performance due to fish's high amounts of nutrients and Omega-3 fats.
Berries
Berries are high in special compounds called anthocyanins, which increase blood flow to the brain. Their antioxidants can also reduce inflammation and protect from brain cell damage. You can find these superfood qualities in blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries.
Nuts
Eating snacks like trail mix or even granola bars is an excellent option for studying because of the high antioxidants in various nuts like peanuts, walnuts, and pistachios. Antioxidants in these nuts help promote heart health, improve memory retention, and reduce inflammation. Pistachios specifically are proven to be great for learning and information retention.
Eggs
Eggs are another great study or morning food to start your day because of their high protein content. They are full of critical nutrients like Vitamin B12 and B2, Vitamin A, and small amounts of calcium, iron, and potassium. Eat a breakfast of scrambled eggs to begin your day with a nourished mind and energetic spirit.
Broccoli
Finally, broccoli also has incredible amounts of vitamins and antioxidants. Whether you eat it cooked or raw, it helps to preserve memory, boost learning retention, and sharpen reasoning skills. This is due to broccoli's excellent anti-inflammatory properties to build and rebuild damaged brain cells.
School can be hard sometimes, especially when your brain and body are not adequately equipped for a day in front of book stacks or a screen. Properly providing your brain and body with the right foods to function will help you focus, give you energy, and prepare you to conquer your studies!
IWU-National & Global is committed to seeing its students succeed in every area, so make sure you bring a list of these brain foods to your next trip to the grocery store and visit our student resource page for more tools for success.