It's no exaggeration to say that your brain is probably the most important part of your body. It is the control centre, in charge of keeping your heart beating and lungs breathing and allowing you to move, feel and think.
That's why it's a good idea to keep your brain in peak working condition. If your brain isn't properly fuelled, you're likely to feel sad and irritable. You might also have trouble sleeping, poor memory, and difficulty problem-solving.
Best nutrients for your brain
Essential nutrients for brain health include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, calcium, fibre, and vitamins B1, B9, B12, D and E. These nutrients have been scientifically proven to improve concentration, the ability to learn and retain information, and even decrease the likelihood of degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's.
The best way to feed your brain is to eat a wide range of foods from all food groups. That may not be easy with a busy lifestyle, so here are 7 brain foods you can have, which require little preparation and that you can still eat even if you are always on the go.
That way, even if you are forced to skip a meal because you are too busy, you can still make up for it during the day.
All Kurma's 7 on-the-go foods to boost your brainpower
1. Coffee
If coffee is the highlight of your morning, you'll be happy to know that its two main components - caffeine and antioxidants - can help improve your brain function.
Caffeine keeps your brain alert by blocking adenosine, a chemical that makes you sleepy, while also boosting mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin. Coffee's high concentration of antioxidants can also reduce the risk of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Black coffee in general, is good for health. With the content of caffeine however, moderation is the key when coffee is concerned. What makes coffee look bad is all the other additional ingredients we add to it such as sugar, syrup, condensed milk, whipped cream or heavy milk.
So, don't go blaming the coffee, but instead cut down on all those unnecessary additives.
2. Chia seeds
Chia seeds provide the brain with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can increase memory, concentration and learning, which is especially good for those who suffer from ADHD.
For your own dose of chia seeds, try Springdale Cottage Chia Seeds, which you can add to any meal, from salads to smoothies, or even to breakfast cereals of oats to get a burst of nutrition.
3. Raisins
Raisins are packed with boron, a nutrient that has been proven to help people perform up to 10% better in hand-eye coordination, attention and memory tests.
You can try out Springdale Cottage's Jumbo Golden Raisins, which make a delicious snack on their own, and can also be added to cereals or oats for an added taste of natural sweetness.
4. Quinoa
Believe it or not, these tiny grains contain a high amount of B vitamins and flavonoids, both of which have been proven to help keep the memory sharp, and help your brain to continue functioning.
Try out Springdale Cottage's Tricolor Organic Quinoa, which is an ideal rice replacement for those looking for a healthier and more nutritious alternative.
5. Dates
Dates have numerous nutritional benefits, and its high iron content has been shown to enhance both mood and cognitive performance.
Dates have been known as the brain food due to its high antioxidant that is good to help fight inflammation and free radical.
Dates are extremely fun too and convenient, there are many range of dates to choose from depending on your preference and texture. Some of the best ones include Lulu, Fard, Khenaize and Khalas, either on their own, or added as a natural sweetener to any of your regular desserts.
Check out some premium quality dates fruit, click here.
6. Coconut
Coconut and coconut oil are made almost fully of healthy fats that can improve brain function and even protect against Alzheimer's disease.
Now everyone loves a fresh coconut drink to wash down a nice lunch and with modern food innovation, coconut now comes in the form of snack.
Coconut chips give you an easy way to enjoy this brain food while on the go. Now this definitely beats those salty sodium-fest artificial chips.
Try out Springdale Cottage's Coconut Chips, either eaten as a snack or served over any dish that needs some added crunchy texture, such as ice cream or salad.
7. Dark chocolate
Rounding up this list is the sweet delight that is dark chocolate. It is packed with a few brain-boosting compounds, including flavonoids, caffeine and antioxidants.
Studies have shown that people who ate chocolate more frequently performed better in a series of mental tasks, including some involving memory, than those who rarely ate it.
Conclusion
Eating well-rounded meals most of the time will help you study better, and lead to better results, both in the short-term and the long-term.
While many of the brain foods we've talked about have immediate results, the best results are the ones that show up over time, such as the slowing down of age-related cognitive decline.
Sources:
https://snacknation.com/blog/brain-food-snacks/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods
https://au.reachout.com/articles/foods-that-help-our-brain-study
https://fitminds.ca/brain-health-nutrition-brain-essential-nutrients-and-breakfast/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324044
https://bestlifeonline.com/best-brain-foods/
