5 Natural Boosters for Brain Function

The brain, like any other organ in our body, needs food. Intense brain activity increases energy expenditure. It would seem that you need to eat more sweets but excessively high blood sugar levels are as bad as low sugar levels. Blood sugar spikes don’t help the brain to work efficiently, especially in the case of high mental stress. Therefore, nutritionists advise starting the morning with foods rich in slow carbohydrates.
What to eat to boost brain function?

1. Oatmeal

Eating oatmeal for breakfast is the perfect option for intellectuals. More than half the mass of oats (66%) is carbs. Another 11% is dietary fiber, and the remaining percentage is starch. Starch slowly breaks down and nourishes the body with energy gradually without causing blood sugar spikes.

Oats contain a very useful beta-glucan. This a digestible dietary fiber that is beneficial for the human body. Beta-glucans are used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer, high blood pressure, and HIV. They are also essential for people who suffer from eczema, radiation burns, hepatitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. Oats also contain zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

2. Walnuts

Have you noticed that walnuts look like a brain? Perhaps its natures hint as to why we need to eat them. Scientists have found that a diet containing up to 15% nuts improves memory and learning skills in mice which can be used as a prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.

A 2015 study found that eating about 10.3 g of walnuts per day improves cognitive function in adults. Research data generally confirmed that eating walnuts is good for the brain and nervous system. It’s recommended to eat 140 g of walnuts per week (it’s about 20 g per day) but first, you should consult a gastroenterologist.

3. Almonds

Like walnuts, almonds are a natural source of nutrients that have a beneficial effect on brain function. This is also called a nootropic effect. One study on rats has shown that eating almonds improved the brain function in almond treated rats compared to rats that didn’t consume almonds.

In addition, scientists noticed that after a two-week almond consumption (on average 56 g per day) patients with type 2 diabetes had decreased levels of toxic substances in the blood. Nutritionists recommend eating about 15 g of almonds per day to keep brain health.

4. Fish

Since the brain is nearly 60 percent fat, it’s worth including fats in your diet. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are the most beneficial for us. Moreover, the human body cannot synthesize them, therefore these substances are indispensable. Fish such as mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring, tuna, haddock, and trout are the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, oily fish is a good source of healthy proteins, vitamin D, phosphorus, and other substances necessary for the normal brain function.

5. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate with high cocoa content is rich in antioxidants which boosts energy and brain function. One chocolate bar contains theobromine (810 mg) and caffeine (81 mg). A study involving healthy young people who ate flavanol-rich cocoa for five days showed an improvement in blood supply to brain areas responsible for cognitive tasks. According to the randomized study, even a single consumption of 20 g of dark chocolate can improve memory in healthy young people aged 18–27 years.