Just what does the food you eat have to do with how your brain functions? Uhh, more than you think. Everyone knows that what we eat affects our bodies and how we look but what we eat also affects our brain. Why are we telling you this? Because certain foods influence cognitive ability! Such as understanding and processing new information, staying focused on the task at hand and recognizing when we’re full. This is crucial especially when you’re trying to study – retaining new information and staying focused will help you to ace that test. Check out brain boosting foods below 

Walnuts

No, we aren’t being nutty including walnuts in this list. By simply eating a few walnuts in a day, you are improving your cognitive health. Walnuts have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which help to improve mental alertness. The vitamin E helps to ward off Alzheimer’s. I will be adding this to every holiday gift baskets I send out.

Walnuts

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is seriously so versatile, it has over 77 uses and cures, it’s a true power food. Especially when it comes to your brain, it’s jam packed full of benefits. It can help with memory loss as you age so you should always be able to retain what you learned in college. Pretty neat. I’ll add this to the wine baskets immediately.

Coconut Oil

Avocados

This fruit is literally one of the healthiest you can consume, it may get a bad rep because of their high-fat content, but it’s important to remember that avocados are packed with monosaturated fats. And for most people, the stress associated when studying just makes the skin break out, while consuming avocados keeps your skin glowing and soft. Moreover, avocados have both vitamin K and folate, which helps to improve cognitive function, especially memory and concentration.

Avocado Slices

Dark Chocolate

As a chocoholic, I can’t go a day without munching down on this sweet snack. But there’s a little catch, not all kinds of chocolate are good for you (I know, bummer), but dark chocolate is super healthy. (Yes!)( It’s filled to the brim with flavonols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This can also help to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to both the brain and heart. Which is crucial, but remember the darker the chocolate, the more health benefits. So be sure to buy loads of minimally processed dark chocolate with at least 70 percent of cocoa. That way you can get your chocolate fix and get all of the added brain benefits. This is probably the best news I’ve heard in a while! And yes, it will be added to each and every chocolate gift baskets from now on.

Dark Chocolate

Rosemary

The herb, Rosemary, has a bunch of benefits for your body and brain. It has lots of Carnosic acid and this helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration. Be sure to start including this into your daily diet.

Rosemary

Blueberries

Blueberries have so many great health benefits and they taste good! Blueberries have high levels of gallic acid, meaning they’re a powerful fruit to protecting our brains from degeneration and stress. Be sure to have these around as snacks when you’re having a late night study session.

Blueberries

Beets

I’m not sure why but there are quite a few people who don’t like beets, maybe it’s the color or how they look but you should definitely try to add it to your diet. It’s the natural nitrates in beets that will boost blood flow to the brain, helping with mental performance. Additionally, if you’re working out, beets actually help boost energy and performance levels. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Beets

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Did you know that real extra virgin olive oil is truly an amazing brain food? It comes down to the fact that is has powerful antioxidants, polyphenols, in the oil. This includes EVOO in your diet which not only improves learning and memory, but also helps fight against ADDLs, proteins that are toxic to the brain and induce Alzheimer’s. I’d go ahead and add this to your diet as soon as you can, but it’s not recommended to cook with, only have this at cold or room temperature to get the best use of all its benefits.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best brain foods out there. No, really, it is. It has loads of vitamin K and choline, which means it will help keep your memory sharp. Again, it’s all about remembering the material at hand if you want to pass upcoming quizzes or exams.

Broccoli

Green, Leafy Vegetables

Popeye had the right idea with eating lots of spinach, it’s great brain food. But not just spinach, also kale, romaine lettuce and even Swiss chard. All these green foods help to lower your chances of dementia. Plus, it helps to fight inflammation and keep bones strong.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Turmeric

Turmeric is an ancient root which has been used for centuries for its healing properties and we don’t blame our ancestors for turning to this simple spice. Turmeric helps to boost antioxidant levels and keeps your immune system healthy, while improving your brain’s oxygen intake, to keep you alert and able to process information. Bring on the curry!

Turmeric

LAST BUT NOT LEAST AND ONE OF THE BEST AYURVEDIC BRAIN BOOSTERS

Using plant power to boost memory and beat stress

Looming exams or work deadlines can really run riot with our nervous system and ramp up our stress levels. When you then add into the mix the thought of having to memorise or regurgitate reams of information, the stress can become unmanageable.

It’s always tempting to burn the midnight oil and reach for the classic stimulants such as coffee, sugar and chocolate. While they might provide some short-term relief, the long-term effects can be somewhat harmful and make us feel more exhausted and stressed. Thankfully, there are some top herbal heroes that you can try that will not only target the stress but also improve overall memory and cognition. Here are our top five brain-boosting herbs:

Brahmi 

The mind enhancing, and nervous system soothing effects of this plant are legendary. Brahman is the Hindu name given to the universal consciousness and Brahma is the divinity responsible for all ‘creative’ forces in the world. Brahmi literally means the ‘energy’ or ‘shakti’ of Brahman. With brahmi deriving its name from these roots it has a lot to live up to, and it does. Brahmi is documented in ancient Indian texts as far back as the 6th century is widely used to promote intellect.

This herb improves circulation to the brain, positively impacting upon cognitive functions such as memory through improving movement between nerve cells in the brain. Brahmi is also balancing the response of stress hormones.

Brahmi is the excellent long-term choice for boosting overall brain performance and increasing your capacity to learn and memorise. Try taking this in a supplement form at the beginning of the day, at least a week before the exams get started.

Gotu Kola 

Gotu kola has been used in Asia for thousands of years, both as a medicine and as a food. One of the earliest Ayurvedic medical texts compiled around 300 C.E, ‘Sushruta Samhita’, describes this herb as being able to improve mindfulness, revitalise consciousness and maintain youthful wit!

Gotu kola improves circulation to the brain, supporting cognitive functioning such as memory and concentration whilst also protecting the brain tissue from damage caused by free radicals. The plant has distinctive round leaves, often described as ‘brain-shaped’, which interestingly conforms with the ‘doctrine of signatures’ – an ancient belief that herbs resemble parts of the body that they are used to treat.

Gotu Kola is very similar in some ways to brahmi, in terms of its physiological effects on the brain. But, interestingly, gotu kola also has an effect on skin quality and so is excellent for people who experience skin break-outs as a result of stress. So, if you notice you accumulate a couple of extra spots, or your eczema flares up around exam time – this herb could be the perfect solution. Try taking this in a supplement form at the beginning of the day, at least a week before the exams get started.

Tulsi 

Tulsi, also known as ‘holy basil’ is a very special plant. It’s believed to awaken the mind bringing mental clarity whilst also relaxing the nervous system, allowing time for the restoration of adrenal glands that may have become exhausted by stress or anxiety.

It modulates the stress response, increases adaptive energy and nourishes the vital spirit. It is the perfect antidote to the pressures of modern life. It has adaptogenic qualities and improves the systemic response to physical, biological, emotional and environmental stress enabling one to enjoy more stamina and less stress.

Tulsi is an excellent option for those of us who become very anxious about looming exams or challenges. Tulsi is perfect for the emotional distress that can be caused by exam stress. The added benefit is that tulsi will also improve the physiological functioning of the brain and still support the enhancement of memory and learning capacity. Tulsi can be taken short and long term. It tastes delicious as a tea, so why not try this when you feel yourself becoming a little anxious about the day ahead, or as a night-cap to stop a racing mind at night.

AVAILABLE @ https://www.pukkaherbs.jp/stories/wellbeing/plant-power-for-stress/