Thomas Birch lets you know what foods you should be eating to improve brain function.

The brain.

Apart from being possibly the sexiest organ of the body, it’s arguably the most important. You see, without the brain, I wouldn’t be typing this. Without the brain, you wouldn’t be reading this. So it goes without saying that the brain is an important part of the human body.

Being university students, we use our brain on a daily basis (hopefully) and we push it to the limits. It’s necessary however, to look after the big beautiful thing inside our heads so that we can get the most out of it.

I’ve compiled a list (who doesn’t love a good list?) of brain boosting foods, to help you improve everything from memory function to maybe, just maybe, improve how smart you are. (There are no promises.)

Brain Boosting Food #1

Oily fish – rich in omega-3 fatty acids (which are also good for the heart), fish such as trout, sardines, tuna and salmon contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which has been found to boost brain function. Not only that, consuming DHA can help enhance your mental development and learning ability.

Brain Boosting Food #2

Blueberries – these babies have been found to protect the brain from stress and could reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Furthermore, evidence suggests that they could be effective in improving short term memory loss.

Brain Boosting Food #3

Avocados – rich in monounsaturated fat, which contributes to healthy blood flow in the brain and helps lower bad cholesterol, avocados are also a good source vitamin C which is good for the skin and vitamin E which contributes to cell protection from free radical damage.

Brain Boosting Food #4

Eggs – specifically the yolks, contain lots of choline. Choline is a memory-promoting nutrient that helps maintain flexibility and integrity of brain cell membranes, meaning that eggs can help you remember things like when your next assessment is due. Eating eggs can also help improve overall cognitive performance.

Brain Boosting Food #5

Dark chocolate – this piece of the chocolate family has been found to improve blood flow to the brain while cocoa can improve verbal fluency and cognitive function. Yum.

Brain Boosting Food #6

Whole grains – concentration skills are linked to the brains supply of glucose. Choosing whole grains with a low-GI, which releases glucose slowly into the bloodstream, can help keep you alert for longer.

Brain Boosting Food #7

Walnuts – almost resembling a brain in their appearance, walnuts are a great source of brain nourishment. Containing essential fatty acids critical for brain and nervous system performance, these wrinkly nuts won’t do you wrong.

Sounds pretty good, right?

After all this brain talk, my head is feeling a little sore. I’m off to eat an avocado and an egg.

Cheerio.

(P.S. hello again! Did you know that eating fruit and vegetables daily can help improve your overall health and wellbeing? The Newcastle University Student Association (NUSA) has got your back; they sell veggie boxes for cheap prices! To check them out, click here.)

Images: Pixabay