Nutrition Ambition: Eating smart is a no-brainer
Did you know that all those
potato chips, cookies and pizza
rolls you've been shoveling down
your gullet during late-night study
sessions are making you smarter?
Bazinga!
Once again, you've fallen for one of my classic pranks.
Even the brilliant Sheldon Cooper would agree: good nutrition contributes to good brain function.
Fortunately, you don't need to be a theoretical physicist to boost your cerebral stamina. As I've mentioned many times before, what you put into your body has a direct impact on how your body performs. This means that by choosing to eat foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals over processed "junk" foods, you are giving your brain a huge advantage. So get geeky, not greasy, and fill up on foods containing some of these nutritious nourishments before your next big test.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These are considered "essential fatty acids," and it's no wonder; they are needed for proper growth of nerve cells, and contribute to your body and brain's overall health. The best way to get these into your system is by eating fish such as salmon, tuna, trout and sardines. For once, the fattier the fish, the better. By substituting take-out burgers for grilled salmon steaks, or even just eating a can of flaked light tuna, you are not only lowering your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis, you are also helping to improve your cognitive behavioral function (which can mean increased retention of your course material!).
Antioxidants
Found in a high variety of foods, antioxidants are constantly being pushed by popular health media. The most accessible antioxidants are found in darkly coloured fruits and vegetables. Blueberries are highly renowned for their nutritional qualities, being labeled the "brain berry" by some scientists. Research has found that with regular consumption, blueberries can improve memory, and help to reverse age-related declines in motor function, balance and coordination.
B Vitamins
Think "B" for brain. Foods with vitamins that fall under the B category are great for the human nervous system. Everything you do, from picking up your pencil to shading in answers on a multiplechoice scantron, requires your nervous system to send messages back and forth from your brain to your muscles. It's not too difficult to find foods with B-complex vitamins in them either; romaine lettuce, beans, peanut butter, eggs (with the yolk) and whole wheat bread are all rich sources.
Vitamin E
With the power to stave off deterioration of the brain, getting your daily dose of vitamin E is a smart choice. To stay sharp, go green with vegetables like broccoli and spinach. Not a fan of the veggies? Snacking on olives, almonds and sunflower seeds can also be a canny way to absorb your vitamin E, which will in turn help you absorb the content of your endless textbooks.
Iron
You need this mineral to help your blood supply oxygen to your body, including your brain. In fact, getting too little iron in your diet may lead to scary outcomes like ADHD, learning disabilities and a lowered IQ. Therefore, eating foods high in iron like lentils, Brussels sprouts and tofu will keep your mind-muscle strong and resilient enough to make it through yet another three-hour lecture … awake.
Bazinga!
Once again, you've fallen for one of my classic pranks.
Even the brilliant Sheldon Cooper would agree: good nutrition contributes to good brain function.
Fortunately, you don't need to be a theoretical physicist to boost your cerebral stamina. As I've mentioned many times before, what you put into your body has a direct impact on how your body performs. This means that by choosing to eat foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals over processed "junk" foods, you are giving your brain a huge advantage. So get geeky, not greasy, and fill up on foods containing some of these nutritious nourishments before your next big test.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These are considered "essential fatty acids," and it's no wonder; they are needed for proper growth of nerve cells, and contribute to your body and brain's overall health. The best way to get these into your system is by eating fish such as salmon, tuna, trout and sardines. For once, the fattier the fish, the better. By substituting take-out burgers for grilled salmon steaks, or even just eating a can of flaked light tuna, you are not only lowering your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis, you are also helping to improve your cognitive behavioral function (which can mean increased retention of your course material!).
Antioxidants
Found in a high variety of foods, antioxidants are constantly being pushed by popular health media. The most accessible antioxidants are found in darkly coloured fruits and vegetables. Blueberries are highly renowned for their nutritional qualities, being labeled the "brain berry" by some scientists. Research has found that with regular consumption, blueberries can improve memory, and help to reverse age-related declines in motor function, balance and coordination.
B Vitamins
Think "B" for brain. Foods with vitamins that fall under the B category are great for the human nervous system. Everything you do, from picking up your pencil to shading in answers on a multiplechoice scantron, requires your nervous system to send messages back and forth from your brain to your muscles. It's not too difficult to find foods with B-complex vitamins in them either; romaine lettuce, beans, peanut butter, eggs (with the yolk) and whole wheat bread are all rich sources.
Vitamin E
With the power to stave off deterioration of the brain, getting your daily dose of vitamin E is a smart choice. To stay sharp, go green with vegetables like broccoli and spinach. Not a fan of the veggies? Snacking on olives, almonds and sunflower seeds can also be a canny way to absorb your vitamin E, which will in turn help you absorb the content of your endless textbooks.
Iron
You need this mineral to help your blood supply oxygen to your body, including your brain. In fact, getting too little iron in your diet may lead to scary outcomes like ADHD, learning disabilities and a lowered IQ. Therefore, eating foods high in iron like lentils, Brussels sprouts and tofu will keep your mind-muscle strong and resilient enough to make it through yet another three-hour lecture … awake.
