Eat Smart
“You are what you eat.”
“A healthy body is a healthy mind.”
“Brain food.”
You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard at least one of these phrases at one point or another. They are common-sense principles, and their prevalence indicates that the general population widely understands the importance of food when it comes to cognitive performance.
We all know that a lack of healthy eating habits means missing out on some big potential cognitive benefits, but according to a 2020 study conducted by the Journal of American College Health, it appears that eating the wrong foods (think fast food and chocolate cake) will actively damage your cognitive function. This means that eating the right foods is even more important than previously thought!
But what foods are even considered brain food?
While there are a lot of healthy foods that will help your brain, here are some that have been frequently linked to improved cognitive performance, according to Harvard Health Publishing:
Berries- the same chemical compounds that give them their bright colors also promote memory!
Walnuts- packed with protein and fats, researchers have found that these tree nuts can be linked to increased memory and even prevent cognitive decline.
Tea + Coffee- people who consume tea and coffee typically score higher on tests of mental function.
Dark Chocolate- dark chocolate contains high levels of flavanol, a naturally occurring compound in plants that are full of amazing nutrients. Flavanols are believed to reduce stress levels, increase blood flow to the brain, boost attention span, and enhance overall problem-solving skills (Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology).
The cognitive benefits of chocolate are no small feat: according to a 2012 study by the New England Journal of Medicine, it was found that the parts of the world with the highest level of chocolate consumption also had the largest number of Nobel Prize winners (Messerli 2012).
At Zeta Learning, we wholeheartedly believe in the power of brain food, which is why we partner with innovative companies like the Functional Chocolate Company in order to provide students with delicious snacks that will actually help them perform better on their exams!
Check out Functional Chocolate Company’s tips for staying focused when studying at home and their guide on how to help teens stay motivated during the school year.
To unlock the Functional Chocolate Company’s Brainy Chocolate, download Thunder Reward
