5 Brain Foods That Can Make You Smarter (#5 Is Our Favourite)

Brain food matters. After all, our mental health is indicative of our overall wellbeing. However in today’s increasingly busy life in which work stress is at an all time high, brain fatigue and fogginess is all too commonplace.

So how can we combat lifestyle inflicted stresses whilst concurrently boosting our mood, alertness and also warding off ageing and maintaining overall brain health? Food would be a good starting point.

With a plethora of scientific and medical studies at our disposal, we now know that antioxidants, flavanols, polyphenols, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals such as folate, vitamin E and B are crucial to increasing our brain function.  

Salmon: good quality salmon is not only high in protein, but delivers the highest dose of Omega -3 fats, DHA and EPA - both critical to healthy brain function. As well as a healthy dose of Omega-3, salmon provides Magnesium, Vitamin B, Zinc, Vitamin D and Choline.

Walnuts: While we know that nuts form an essential part of a well balanced diet, when it comes to brain food, walnuts are king. Packed with essential amino acids and Vitamins B and E, walnuts help prevent cognitive decline.

Avocados: Looks like your favourite breakfast just received an upgrade. Packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, which promote healthy blood flow in the brain, avocados also contain folate, potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. If that is not enough to convince you, avocados contain high levels of Vitamin B, critical to healthy nerves and brain cells. 

Blueberries: Ever noticed how most smoothie recipes contain a healthy dose of blueberries? This is because blueberries are one of nature’s most potent sources of antioxidants. According to research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, blueberries have been shown to reverse signs of aging in the brain, help repair and protect cells, and improve memory. 

Dark Chocolate: Who ever said there was no such thing as a guiltless dessert, lied. Containing potent levels of plant antioxidants called Flavanols, Magnesium, Zinc and fibre, dark chocolate or more specifically cacao, is one of the best brain boosters around. It is proven to both boost mood and focus.