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Which Foods Help with Mental Focus?
Many healthy and delicious foods help with mental focus. These brain foods have nutrients that are said to help a person feel alert, energized and able to concentrate. Each brain food includes one or several different vitamins, minerals, protein, fatty acids or antioxidants. It's important to eat balanced meals rich in vegetables and fruits daily to provide adequate energy and combat mental fatigue. These foods help with mental focus, according to many sources: eggs, fish, nuts, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, berries, whole grains and dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants thought to improve concentration and allow focus of thought. Antioxidants help clean the body of harmful toxins. Whole grain foods such as brown rice, cereals and popcorn contain vitamin B6 and B12 which are said to improve mental focus, memory and brain functioning.
All fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. These fruit and vegetable foods help with mental focus: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard and kale. Leafy green vegetables contain folic acid, which is thought to help keep the mind focused as well as possibly prevent memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Broccoli is rich in many vitamins, but one in particular — vitamin K — is said to be conducive to proper brain functioning. Berry foods help with mental focus and are thought to improve molecular signals in the brain due to their abundant supply of antioxidants. It's a good idea to add healthy fruits and vegetables to other nutritious foods we eat in order to increase our consumption of them. For example, some blueberries added to breakfast cereal can add extra healthy nutrients to start the day.
Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are high in brain health nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin E. A small handful of nuts is a healthy snack since it's also high in protein and good fats. The oil in fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish has long been identified as a protein-rich brain food that is thought to improve mental focus. Eggs provide protein and also contain the B vitamin nutrient choline, which is an important chemical in brain development.
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![Kale.]()
By: Barbro BergfeldtKale. -
![Spinach.]()
By: Alessio ColaSpinach. -
![Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are said to boost brain power.]()
By: dinostockWalnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are said to boost brain power. -
![Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.]()
By: dulsitaSalmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. -
![Sardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and can improve mental focus.]()
By: nitoSardines are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and can improve mental focus. -
![Swiss chard is a good choice for boosting mental focus.]()
By: QuanthemSwiss chard is a good choice for boosting mental focus. -
![Dark chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants.]()
By: taiftinDark chocolate contains beneficial antioxidants. -
![Broccoli is rich in vitamin K, which is said to foster mental focus.]()
By: NitrBroccoli is rich in vitamin K, which is said to foster mental focus. -
![Popcorn is a whole grain containing vitamins B6 and B12.]()
By: Przemyslaw SitekPopcorn is a whole grain containing vitamins B6 and B12. -
![Eggs provide protein and choline, which is important in brain development.]()
By: VankadEggs provide protein and choline, which is important in brain development.
Discussion Comments
BrickBack-Puzzles like crossword puzzles and Sudoku are great brain exercises that stretch the mind a bit. Brain teasers and mind benders are also exercises that cause us to think about answers to various questions.
Foods that improve memory are seafood like tuna and salmon as well as spinach and eggs.
Foods rich in protein are excellent sources to improve memory function. Studies have shown that consumption of fish improve memory skills.
Other ways to learn how to improve your memory skills is by challenging your brain.
Sometimes the reason why we experience some short term memory loss is we follow the same patterns and rarely challenge them.
For example, we usually use a shopping list when going to the grocery store. Instead it would be best to make a mental note of the sections within the grocery store and shop that way.
Another memory improvement exercise involves reading. Reading stimulates the brain and allows you to improve memory skills by focusing on the comprehension of the story that you are reading.
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