4 Foods to Keep Your Brain Sharp
By Stephen R. Farris
If you're in college, you know how tough it is to juggle all of those classes, taking down during each class, and staying up countless hours each night studying and doing homework.
Not to mention sleep is when you get it, and eating healthy can be a challenge, especially when it comes to brain health. College students may opt for more fast foods, or stock pile junk food in their dorm room to snack on.
One thing to consider -- if you're having problems with concentrating on your school work -- is it could be the result of the foods you are consuming. Not only could those foods pack on more weight on your body, they can also cause you to feel fatigue, it could also have an effect on your mental health in the form of losing focus.
However, there are certain foods you can eat -- and even stockpile -- that will actually give you more energy and keep your brain sharp.
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries (to name a few) all contain a flavonoid called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been linked to improving mental sharpness by increasing the flow of blood to the brain.
Citrus Fruits
Similar to berries, citrus fruits - such as oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons, and limes - have a number of flavonoids that include hesperidin, naringin, quercetin, rutin, and a number of others. In other words, citrus fruits are loaded with flavonoids. These flavonoids found in citrus fruits can lead to memory boost, and also help protect your nerve cells from injury.
Cocoa
Want to increase your brain health, then you might want to drink or eat something of the dark chocolate variety. Dark chocolate and other cocoa products score highest in the amount of flavonoids found in them. In one research, people who drank 990 mg of a cocoa beverage once a day for eight weeks, showed to have an increase in mental testing.
Nuts
If you are a college student and looking to buy snacks for your dorm room, then go nuts. No, not literally, but more in the food variety. Nuts are loaded with nutrients -- including Vitamin E and zinc -- that are good for brain health. Nuts are considered a healthy fat, loaded with protein and fiber.
Other foods that are good for brain-health include eggs, fish, avocados, beets, and vegetables (red, green, and orange).
If you're having trouble concentrating, talk with your local chiropractor to find out some of the tips and suggestions they can offer to help you get back on track.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Mary, Fla.