5 foods that make you brainier

Become smarter just by eating these 5 foods that make you brainier – as everything from our mood to our energy levels and even our concentration can be affected by the foods we eat. That’s why it’s really important to be conscious of what you put into your body, not just for physical health, but for mental health, too. Just as our body requires certain nutrients to be able to function properly, so does our brain. We’ve put together our top brainpower-boosting foods, to ensure you’re eating the right things and getting the most from your diet.

Oily fish

Our bodies need essential fatty acids for optimal function, but this is something we cannot make ourselves. Therefore, we need to find this elsewhere. Omega-3 fats are what we need for healthy brain function and these are found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. These help to produce serotonin, the chemical responsible for creating feelings of happiness. Omega-3 also helps us to ward off diseases such as Alzheimer’s and helps us to manage stress better.

Berries

We’re referring mainly to dark berries such as blueberries and blackcurrants, which help to delay short term memory loss. They also contain vitamin C, which has been shown to have the power to increase mental agility and protect against age-related diseases. These also help to protect the brain from oxidative stress

Walnuts

These nuts even resemble the look of the human brain thanks to the wrinkly appearance! They’re rich in vitamin E, which is known to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and they also help to promote sleep and combat insomnia thanks to their high levels of melatonin.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains two crucial nutrients that help to increase brain function – vitamin K and choline. The former helps to strengthen our brain’s cognitive abilities, while the latter has been found to improve memory. It also contains lots of folic acid, which helps to ward off depression, and it’s high in compounds known as glucosinolates, which can slow the breakdown of neurotransmitters. This helps to keep our brains and memories sharp.

Wholegrains

Essential for providing energy throughout the day, wholegrains help to fill you up and stabilise energy levels. We’ve all experienced the 3pm slump and reached for the coffee or a sugary treat. Even though you get an instant boost this way, you can actually make yourself feel worse, as you’ll have a spike in blood sugar that will quickly drop. In order to stabilise blood sugar and have increased energy, reach for an oat bar or a rice cake instead. This will help to increase concentration and will keep you mentally alert.