Perhaps you’re facing the last big hurdle to your work promotion. Or have to finish an ambitious project to ace your subject in college. The good news is you can eat your way to better focus and concentration.
Nootropics or smart pills are in fact used alone or in stacks to boost memory, mood, learning, and overall brain functioning. Part of its arsenal of cognitive enhancement effects are increased focus and concentration, which in today’s world full of distraction are a precious commodity.
Take note that there’s no magic bullet to boost your IQ, focus, or emotional well-being. But there are foods and natural extracts that can do part of the job, which is to help you focus and concentrate on your tasks better than you normally would, especially under stress or with plenty of external stimulation.
Let’s have a look at seven of today’s winning focus enhancers.
Caffeine
Certain substances such as caffeine can provide a jolt of energy and help you concentrate better. It’s found in coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, as well as some medications, giving that wake-up buzz that makes millions around the world grab a cup of joe more than once daily. Take note, though, that the effects are short term. The more, the less ideal, too, since overdoing your caffeine intake can result in jitters and a feeling of being uncomfortable.
Good Ol’ Breakfast
A busy schedule often makes you skip breakfast to save some time in the morning. Studies find, however, that eating breakfast may enhance your short-term memory and attention. In research, students who consume breakfast tend to perform better than their peers who don’t. So why not make it a habit to grab that bagel or sit down to a decent morning meal? Some brain-fueling foods include high-fiber whole grains, fruits, and dairy products like milk. Yet just like in using caffeine, be careful not to overdo it – high-calorie breakfasts may also hinder good concentration.
Omega-3 Fats
Fish is considered a focus booster as it’s a protein source linked to brain enhancement. The key: its abundance in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats have always been tied to better brain power, as diets high in them are thought to lower dementia, stroke, and mental decline risks. The elderly may especially benefit from at least two servings of fish every week.
Blueberries
Research shows that consuming blueberries can increase concentration and memory for a grand five hours after consumption. In the trial, the researchers made the subjects drink a blueberry smoothie in the morning and then measured their ability to complete mental tasks in the afternoon. The blueberry drinkers fared well while those who weren’t saw their performance decrease by 15 to 20 percent. Blueberries have their rich antioxidant, vitamins C and E, and flavonoid content to thank for this amazing quality.
Avocado
Optimum blood flow is key to nearly everything, as every organ in your body depends on it. Imagine how much your heart and brain need it to function properly! A diet that values avocados and other fruits can help enhance blood flow. Avocados’ fat content is mostly monounsaturated fat, the good kind and assists in healthy blood flow. What’s more avocados are tasty, flexible food items that can go from savory dishes to sweet, after-dinner treats.
Leafy Greens
Kale, spinach, leafy greens – they’re not the most popular when it comes to taste and appeal. But they can be some of the biggest enhancers of mental focus. For instance, they contain potassium, which speeds up the connections between neurons to make the brain more responsive. Lutein, a carotenoid or pigment found in vegetables and fruits, is known not just for eye health. It also helps improve learning, memory, and cognitive function. Certain components of leafy greens can also ward off stress, improve mood, and function as a natural antidepressant. They help slow down aging happening in the brain with these many different factors.
Nootropics or Brain Enhancement Pills
Supplements on store shelves furiously show every single brain-boosting benefit they can claim. Yet it’s really nootropics or cognitive pills made of nutrients and natural herbal extracts that have captured so much attention and market share with their ability to help one become ‘limitless’ in memory, focus, and brain performance. The key here is their synergistic blend of extracts such as Panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and phosphatidylserine to improve cognition, slash mental fatigue, and ramp up alertness and concentration. Not all brain pills, however, are created equal. It’s important they are backed by a reputable manufacturer and offers a pure, potent, and safe formula that can be taken every day, in conjunction with smart lifestyle choices like a good diet and plenty of exercise and sleep.
