Top 10 Foods for Studying

January 29, 2016

• Effective Revision

What are the best Foods for studying? Now that the holidays are over and a new school term has started, it can be tough getting back into the routine of studying and focusing on schoolwork. However, what you eat could really make a difference to concentration and performance in class. Here’s a round up of the top 10 brain foods to get munching on!

1. Pumpkin seeds

Just a handful of pumpkin seeds a day is all you need to get your recommended daily amount of zinc. Zinc is vital for enhancing your memory and thinking skills.

2. Broccoli

Brocoli is a great source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is known to enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants which have long been praised for their health benefits. The latest evidence suggests that blueberries may be effective in improving or delaying short term memory loss too.

4. Wholegrains

The ability to concentrate and focus comes from the adequate, steady supply of energy. This comes in the form of glucose in our blood, which goes to the brain. This is best achieved by eating low-GI carbohydrates (i.e. ‘brown’ bread/rice/pasta etc. as oppose to white). These foods release glucose slowly into the bloodstream, maintaining mental alertness throughout the day.

5. Oily Fish

There are high concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids in most fish, and these fatty acids are essential to proper neural function. Most of our brain is made up of fatty tissue, so it makes sense that eating fish and other foods high in fatty acids would help us focus more and learn how to study more efficiently.

6. Nuts

Like fish, many types of nuts such as almonds, pistachios, and walnuts contain high levels of essential fatty acids that help the brain to perform optimally. As an added benefit, nuts contain a good amount of iron and also provide oxygen to the brain, which increases mental alertness and ability to retain information.

7. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate not only feeds the brain by improving memory, but also by increasing blood flow to the brain, thereby increasing alertness and clarity. The darker the chocolate, the more benefits the brain will receive – look for 70% cocoa solids or more.

8. Apples

Not only do apples keep the doctor away but the peel of the apple includes a powerful antioxidant called quercetin. Quercetin enhances memory function which is why this is one of the top foods for studying well.

9. Leafy Greens

A 2006 study in Neurology showed that people who ate two or more daily servings of vegetables, especially leafy greens, had the mental focus of people five years their junior. Don’t neglect spinach!

10. Water

The brain is approximately 85 percent water and as such brain function depends on having abundant access to water. Water gives the brain the electrical energy for all brain functions, including thought and memory processes. Dehydration causes your brain to shut down and not run at full speed, impairing both short term and long-term memory function.

If you have any top foods for studying, do get in touch with us at Kings Tutors and let us know!

Sources:

BBC GoodFood

Eating Well