Brain food! 15 to eat for mental performance...

 What you eat determines your performance in a day...If you choose to eat processed foods (any food from any type of container, box, powder, bag, flash frozen or tin) your body needs to work harder to process it and get what it needs from the food. If you choose to eat non-processed foods (any food which is fresh and straight from the soil or butchery) then your body can easily process it and extract what it needs, since the substance being processed is familiar to your body. Processed foods are not familiar to your body.

So let's jump into some detail to establish why each food helps your brain...

1. Avocados - helps to keep your blood sugar levels steady and contains vitamin K and folate which prevents blood clots in the brain. It also improves brain function in memory and concentration areas. It also contains vitamins B and C which are vitamins which need to be restored to your body daily.

2. Beetroot - reduce inflammation, high in antioxidants and helps your blood get rid of toxins. It contains natural nitrates and boost blood flow to the brain which increases mental performance.

3. Blueberries - are a antioxidant rich food which includes vitamins C and K along with fiber. The high levels of gallic acid helps to protect your brain from degeneration and stress.

4. Bone broth - best for healing gut and brain. the high levels of collagen help reduce intestinal inflammation and proline and glycine boost your immune system functions. This therefore helps your brain to heal and function optimally.

5. Broccoli - the high levels of vitamin K and choline helps keep your memory sharp. It also contains vitamin C.

6. Celery - contains high levels of antioxidants and polysaccharides which work against inflammation. 

7. Coconut oil - is also a natural inflammatory food which suppresses inflammation cells. it helps with memory loss and destroys bad bacteria.

8. Dark chocolate - can lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, and has antioxidants. This does not mean any of the dark chocolate on the store shelves though, this only refers to the most dark chocolate that is available...at least 70% cocoa.

9. Egg yolks - contains large amounts of choline, it breaks down bethane (the happy hormone) and a happy brain is a learning brain.

10. Extra virgin olive oil - contains polyphenols which is an antioxidant, which helps improve memory and learning. The best way to eat it is cold or at room temperature.

11. Green, leafy vegetables - spinach specifically, along with kale, swiss chard and romaine lettuce helps with dementia and mental deterioration. These vegetables also contain vitamins A and K which helps inflammation and strong bones.

12. Rosemary - contains carnosic acid which helps protect the brain from neurodegeneration (fancy way of brain functioning becoming less). It also therefore protects eyesight.

13. Salmon - high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids which helps your brain run smoothly and improve focus. This should then also be "free range" salmon and not farm raised ones...

14. Turmeric - contains curcumin which is another anti-inflammatory agent, it also boosts antioxidant levels and keeps the immune system healthy while improving the oxygen intake of your brain. The more oxygen your brain gets, the better it is able to stay alert and process information.

15. Walnuts - improves cognitive health with high levels of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for mental alertness. Vitamin E specifically.

So based on this list it would be a good idea to stock up on these types of foods during intense study or skill building periods. It will improve your performance and retention while you're putting in the work.