6 brain foods to help you study

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School is brain work. From calculations and writing essays to just staying awake in class, students go through an intense mental workout every day. So what do you need to do to keep your noggin chugging along? Eat brain foods! Here’s a list of six brilliant brain-boosting beauties that will keep you sharp throughout the day:

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1. Oatmeal

This classic breakfast food, while maybe not as exciting as Captain Crunch or Fruit Loops, will give you the energy you need to make it through the day. Unlike sugary breakfast cereals, which give you a quick spike and then leave you crashing, oatmeal absorbs slowly, which makes your blood sugar rise steadily. And, as cited in TLC’s “5 Breakfasts That Will Warm Up Your Brain,” children who ate oatmeal for breakfast tended to score 20% higher on tests.

 

 

 

Blueberries_picture2. Blueberries

While small, the blueberry is packed with nutrients. According to Life Extension, a foundation dedicated to promoting health for longer lives, these berries scored the highest overall in antioxidant capacity per serving when compared to 24 different fresh fruits, 23 veggies, 16 herbs and spices, 10 nuts and four dried fruits. These antioxidants help keep your brain feeling, and acting, young.

 

 

 

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Photo via http://flickr.com/photos/49503154413@N01/4387330968

3. Fish

Either you love it or you hate it, but your brain always loves this super food. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient for brain function, this controversial dish keeps your brain bright. The University of Maryland Medical Center has pinpointed these cognitive symptoms as being related to omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies:

– Fatigue

– Poor memory

– Mood swings or depression

 

 

Avocado4. Avocado

Guacamole’s good for you? You bet, because its main nutritional component, monosaturated fat, is important for the blood flow that keeps your brain perky. Livestrong.com explained that this good fat is what increases good cholesterol. This good cholesterol helps maintain healthy blood vessels, which in turn improves blood flow.

 

 

 

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Photo by Hezico via Wikimedia Commons

5. Dark Chocolate

Mmmm … the darker, the better. Seriously. Dark chocolate is rich in flavanols that boost blood flow to your brain. Science Daily reported dark chocolate to be helpful when treating symptoms such as fatigue, sleep deprivation and aging. Most importantly for the brain, however, the increase of blood flow to key sections of the brain by flavanols is suggested to increase cognitive performance for certain tasks as well as boost alertness.

 

 

Photo by Ivanrozman via Wikimedia Commons

6. Water

 

You know water is essential for your body to function properly. You may have even heard about the beauty benefits associated with staying hydrated. Now you also know it’s good for your brain. Medical News Today reported a study from the UK that found that if people drank three cups of water before taking a test, their brain reaction time could be increased by 14%.

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