If you are taking an exam and are thinking about taking supplements that boost your thinking skills, first consider eating foods that stimulate thinking and concentration. The walnut is an example of food that is good for brain functions. NB! This article is written from the personal view of the author and may contain information that is not scientifically substantiated and/or in line with the general view.
Contents:
- Ginkgo
- Vitamins that promote thinking skills
- Minerals and amino acids
- Overview of brain nutrition
- Supplementary overview
Ginkgo
Ginkgo is the leaf of the ginkgo tree. This one originally comes from Japan. Goethe swore by the positive effects of Ginkgo on the brain. He has planted a number of ginkgo trees in his garden. Ginkgo was discovered, partly thanks to Goethe, as a medicine for brain contusion and as a general means of improving cognitive ability in people. Blood vessels widen and therefore more oxygen can be transported to the brain. Ginkgo tea can be purchased at any organic store.
Vitamins that promote thinking skills
Food with relatively high levels of vitamin B6, B11 and B12 increases thinking capacity. It has been scientifically proven that eating food has a direct influence on cognitive functions. Concentration, logical analysis and natural deduction, a form of reasoning, become faster and more efficient when you have eaten the right foods. In addition to the B-complex vitamins, it is important to eat enough vitamins that provide antioxidants. These are vitamins A, C and E. Artificial vitamins do not work for a properly functioning brain. Only natural vitamins stimulate cognitive functions.
Minerals and amino acids
Minerals that are important for thinking are magnesium, manganese and zinc. There are also the minerals that transport oxygen in the brain. This improves the transfer of information between brain cells. These minerals are: potassium, calcium and sodium. Iron ensures the production of neurotransmitters. These are the particles with which brain cells communicate with each other. Amino acids that increase thinking ability are tryptophan and tyrosine.
Overview of brain nutrition
Below you will find an overview of foods with positive properties for the brain. There are 70 different types of food included. There are four repetitions of the drinks because some fruits and vegetables can be made into drinks. Water is included in the food because the brain also needs to be irrigated. Water flushes waste products from the body. This means that nutrients are absorbed even better into the body.
| Nuts and seeds | Cereals | Legume | European fruits | Tropical fruits | Drinks | Spices | Vegetable | Green vegetable | Dairy |
| almond | whole wheatflour | lentils | blueberry | orange | coffee | garlic | radish | salad | yogurt |
| walnut | oatmeal | peas | Blackberry | cantaloupe melon | green tea | turmeric | tomato | arugula | cheese |
| pumpkinseed | Rye bread | chickpea | strawberry | pineapple | gingko tea | cinnamon | sweet potato | kale_ | milk |
| sunflower seed | whole wheatbread | Brown bean | grape | mango | water | ginkgo | carrot | spinach | Eggs |
| pecan | muesli | white bean | plum | Kiwi | tomato juice | sage | red cabbage | Broccoli | |
| cashewnut | brownrice | kidney bean | peach | avocado | Orange juice | rosemary | asparagus | cauliflower_ | |
| peanuts | cranberry | pomegranate_ | grape juice | Red pepper | okra | ||||
| cacao | raspberry | mandarine | berry juice | ||||||
| flax seed | cherries |
Supplementary overview
Because the overview does not provide enough space to mention everything, here is a small addition. Blackberries and raisins are also good for brain functions. If you want to fry in oil that is good for your brain, you can use flax oil (linseed oil or linseed oil), olive oil and walnut oil. You can make a fruit smoothie or vegetable smoothie from the fruits and vegetables mentioned in the overview, which are especially good for cognitive functions. Cognitive, which means that it concerns the thinking functions.Kidney bean, food for thought / Source: Sanjay Acharya, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)Brain functions are affected by nicotine and alcohol. The effect of cannabis influences the brain to a large extent. These substances can give the brain a short-lived impulse that is great at the moment, but in the long run the brain’s thinking power is reduced by drinking, cigarettes and joints.
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