Very few people wonder whether or not the veggies and fruits they eat and drinks they regularly consume affect their brain functions. In fact, these edibles can either improve or harm our mental health to a greater extent than we think. While most of us still continue to believe that food affect only our physical well-being, there are many research results proving that some of them can increase our cognitive power as well.
Except for boosting our cognitive abilities, certain edibles can help us to maintain our physical health. Being high in nutrients, they don’t only give us energy but also prevent numerous diseases of the brain.
For students, who want to pass their exams successfully and stay concentrated during their study, it is crucial to pay attention to their eating habits. Their diet should consist of nutrient-enriched foods. Consuming them will ensure that their brain is always in its best condition that is of great importance for their academic success.
Of course, every student would like to know exactly what foods can help him or her to succeed academically. Therefore, professional writers from Pro-Papers have come up with the list of the best foods so that every student can include them in their diet and fully benefit from them.
Broccoli
For students, it is advisable to eat broccoli on a regular basis, and here is why: since this vegetable contains much choline and Vitamin K, it improves our memorizing abilities. Thanks to its high levels of glucosinolates, this green plant enhances our cognitive functions as well. In addition, these compounds also suppress the breakdown of acetylcholine and thus boost our brain functions. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that this vegetable can even enhance our verbal episodic memory. And as we know, students need the latter so badly to memorize verbal instructions better.
Avocados
There is no wonder that these fruits can help learners to succeed academically. This may seem to be a very loud statement; however, nothing comes from nothing. These fruits contain monounsaturated fats that sustain our blood glucose levels and take care of our skin. Along with those fats, there is folic acid and vitamin K that are known for maintaining our memory power and improving our focus. Moreover, they prevent blood clotting in our brain. These fruits contain Vitamins B and C, which make them the best memory food.
Dark Chocolate
Many parents are concerned with their children eating too much chocolate; however, there is no need to worry as long as it is dark. In truth, a piece of dark chocolate consumed before exams can do the trick. Containing many antioxidants, it can normalize blood pressure and boost the blood circulation from our heart to our brain and thus enhance the functions of the latter.
Nevertheless, students shouldn’t take everything too literally. Even though dark chocolate is believed to have many healing properties, there are lots of processed samples that are not that healthy. It is crucial to pick samples that contain at least seventy percent of cocoa. In fact, the darker the chocolate is, the more benefits it has.
Blueberries
While tasting really good, these purple berries also have many healing properties. They have a high content of fiber, minerals, vitamins C and K, and flavonoids. The latter ones are known for boosting spatial memory and fighting inflammation. Gallic acids contained in the berries suppress the degenerative processes in our brain and help the latter one to cope with stress better. With the said in mind, it is now becoming apparent that these berries can prevent inflammation-, stress-, and aging-related brain disorders and thus greatly contribute to our cognition.
Coconut Oil
No other oils are that versatile than a coconut one. Except for cooking, it has found its use in cosmetic medicine too. However, very few of us know about its healing effects on the brain. This oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that promote the breakdown of ketones, which serve as a fuel for our brain. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil helps to suppress inflammation. Many research results prove this oil to prevent memory loss; therefore, it is useful not only for youngsters but also for aged ones.
Beets
Because of their odd taste and look that many students don’t like, beets are rarely included in a diet of an average learner. And how wrong it is! These vegetables offer exceptional health benefits though. Except for preventing serious diseases and eliminating toxins, beetroots improve memory power and strengthen attention. The natural nitrates presented in beets are known for enhancing flow in our brain. Since all parents take care of their kids’ mental and physical health, they should make sure that this vegetable is served on their table regularly.
Whole Grains
It is proved that whole-grain foods can lower the risk of cognitive deterioration. Overloaded with fiber and various nutrients, whole-grain foods normalize blood pressure, prevent oxidative stress, and fight inflammation. In fact, those who include whole grains in their menu have fewer health issues.
There are many more foods, not to mention drinks such as green tea and coffee, that can help students to sustain their cognition and enhance their memorizing ability. All of these edibles have a high content of antioxidants that suppress damaging processes in our brain. Some edibles are rich in folic acid, choline, and other chemicals that sharpen our memory and boost our focus. All school and college students should know about these foods so that they can purposefully include them in their diet.
Author’s BIO:
Taillor Maizer is the digital marketing manager at Pro-papers. A writer by day and a reader by night, he’s an expert in academic writing.
Taillor Maizer is an associate professor at the Graduate Centre for Academic Communication. He teaches academic writing and speaking to graduate students. Earlier he worked as an editor at Oxford University Press in Toronto. He has a PhD in philosophy from the New School for Social Research and a BA in political science from the University of British Columbia.