We made it through the first wave of testing for the year and round two is just around the corner!
Caffeine was probably your go-to study buddy to give you that extra ounce of energy at 3 a.m. as you finished writing your final CSOC paper or lab report.
But, what if I told you there are other foods besides caffeine that can provide brain-boosting benefits and help you ace your next paper? Would you replace your third double shot latte or Red Bull with one of these suggestions if it promised better memorization benefits and clarity?
These foods/drinks are all available at the S.U.B. and have some brain-boosting benefits for your next study session, be it an all-nighter or afternoon cram session.
•Dark chocolate: look for 70% cacao or higher! This antioxidant-rich treat releases a flavonoid procyanidin, which boosts the circulation of blood and oxygen to the brain and boosts your mood. (Plus, there is a small amount of caffeine in chocolate if you don’t want to go cold turkey.)
•Fresh fruit: think apples and oranges! The fruit provides quick carbs and a stable surge of sugar that will improve concentration.
•Fish: think omega-3s! Salmon and cod are frequently served at the S.U.B. If you aren’t fond of fish, try walnuts and flax seed. Omega-3s boost mental clarity, prevent memory loss, will boost your mood and temporarily stabilize blood sugar. Eat salmon at lunch and save a handful of walnuts for studying later in the day.
•Leafy greens: think spinach! The high levels of iron in spinach help increase the blood cell production, thereby increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain and boosting mental clarity and endurance.Grab a salad boat and olive oil/vinegar dressing on the side to munch on while you write your essay at 11 p.m.
•Broccoli/fortified cereals/lentils/beets: think folic acid! Eating these superfoods results directly in better memory recall and processing.
•Whole Grain Bread: think folate! Toast some bread and smear on some nutbutter for better blood flow and mental clarity. The good fats from the nutbutter will provide staying power from the protein and also boast B3 and folate.
While eating chips provides a great satisfactory crunch and ice cream provides great instant gratification, the sugars and empty calories only provide short term surges of energy.
In the long run these snack foods actually bog down our thinking and concentration.
If you simply cannot live without your latte during a study session, it’s okay to have some caffeine. The caffeine in coffee (or green tea) does provide a small boost of energy, concentration, memory and productivity.
When your next paper or exam approaches, try swapping in some of these brain foods for your meals or snacks and you may notice a significance increase in your productivity or memorization.