While the world seems to be trying their best to eat foods that have a positive effect on their skin and physical bodies, foods that boost brain power are often completely out of the scenario. Whether or not we think of our brains often, our brains are always thinking for us. Here's the thing, you might not be able to see it, but your brain is really your most prized possession. Treat it well and feed your body foods that can enhance its functioning. Here are five such foods.
1. Freshly Brewed Tea
There's some great news for all those who love their cup of chai; two to three cups a day of freshly brewed tea can boost brain power. Freshly brewed tea - hot or cold - contains a modest amount of caffeine which can enhance memory, focus, and mood. Tea also contains antioxidants which promote healthy blood flow. Remember though, the keyword is here freshly brewed tea. Bottled, powdered tea or tea bags won't have the same effect.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the highest sources of antioxidants. They are rich in vitamins C, K as well as fiber, making them an easy favourite for many health fanatics world over. It doesn't stop there, the benefits of eating blueberries are abundant. Because of their high levels of gallic acid, blueberries are especially good at protecting our brains from degeneration and stress.
3. Fish
Fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, sardines as well as some other fish are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. DHA is a primary structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina.
Oily fish contain the active form of these fats which enables the body to use it easily. Low DHA levels have been linked to an increased risk of dementia, alzheimer's disease and memory loss. Having sufficient levels of DHA is thought to help manage stress.
4. Dark Chocolate
How many of us crave something slightly sweet at some point of the day, every day? I'd say many of us. Well, here's some great news; dark chocolate is actually good for you.
Dark chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties,. It also contains some caffeine, which helps in enhancing focus and concentration. Caffeine along with the other stimulants present in dark chocolate help boost the production of endorphins, also referred to popularly as "happy hormones".
The next time you're craving something sweet, you know what to pick up and eat, guilt-free.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has the ability to boost brain-fueling molecules in your body called ketones.
While coconut oil gained immense popularity in the last few years thanks to its fat-burning properties, it can do wonders for more than just your metabolism. Eating a spoonful of coconut oil in the morning is a great way to wake your mind up. Regular use of coconut oil in your diet is known to improve memory. One theory links it to the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which make up over half of the essential fatty acid content of coconut oil. MCTs are a great source of energy for the body, including the brain. They provide easy-access energy to the brain which results in overall better cognitive ability.