Brain Foods Can Help You Study

Studying for exams in college is hard enough, but doing it on an empty stomach is nearly impossible. Before you grab a bag of potato chips or a slice of pizza, read below for a few ideas on foods that can actually help you study. That’s right! Some foods actually boost your brain power, function and memory, making it easier to understand and memorize information.

First, some of the most powerful foods in the world contain a potent acid called Omega 3. These acids are not found naturally in the body, so they must be consumed through supplements or food intake. Omega 3, also called Omega Fatty Acids, are essential acids that increase the fluidity of the cell membranes in our bodies, therefore increasing the communication between our brain cells. Getting our brain cells active and responsive increases their productivity, which makes them more receptive to new information. Foods that contain fatty acids are vegetables, legumes and fish, like sardines, salmon, and mackerel.

Also, here’s good news for chocolate lovers out there. Some research studies have shown that consuming healthy levels of milk chocolate can also boost brain function. Certain elements found in chocolate, like Theobromine, Phenethylamine and Caffeine, act as stimulants to our brains. It wakes us up and gets our brain cells moving. Consider small pieces of simple milk chocolate while you hit the books.

Another great food idea for studying is whole grains. Foods that are made from grains, like rice, bread and cereal, have a vitamin called B12, which gives the body energy. Sometimes studying can make our bodies tired and lethargic. But B12 gives us an extra boost when we need it the most. Consider snacks that are made with whole grains like tortilla chips, popcorn and rice cakes.

Drinking cold water is another great idea while studying. Not only does water keep your muscles, joints and cells fluid and alert, the cold sensation will revitalize your senses. It also gives our bodies’ energy by increasing our blood flow and electrolytes, which are essential to the proper function of our nervous system.

The most important thing to remember about eating foods while you study is to stay away from coffee, sodas and other complex sugars. They provide with you sharp bursts of adrenaline and energy, but eventually lead to a drastic drop in blood sugar, leaving you feeling groggy and tired. So stick with healthy foods and lots of water when you’re cramming at school.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 10:51 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.