You have probably heard about some of the most popular brain power boosting foods such as blueberries, pomegranates, and salmon. But, according to this resource on nootropics and many like it, numerous other foods provide health benefits to the brain. And most you may not have even heard about.

In this article, we are going to introduce you to some of these foods. You may be surprised what you learn about them.

Milk

We know that milk has a lot of nutritional benefits to the body, but what about the brain? Well, according to a recent study, consuming dairy products at least once a day gives you significantly better brain functionality and health compared to people who rarely or never consume dairy foods.

The same study also concluded that “…regular dairy food consumption is associated with a significantly better cognitive function, but underlying causal mechanisms remain to be determined…”. That just means people who take dairy products perform better than non-consumers, but it is not 100% clear why.

Watermelon

Watermelon has a high concentration of antioxidants such as lycopene. Lycopene helps prevent cognitive decline. This fruit also provides a strong complement of beta-carotene. However, it is important to note that to get the most benefit, the watermelon needs to be perfectly ripe.

Seaweed

There is some tangible evidence which suggests frequent consumption of seaweed can provide many brain benefits. Seaweed is a vegetarian alternative to the brain power boosting DHA Omega 3 acids found in salmon and other cold water fish. It has a lot of folic acids, an essential nutrient for the brain at any stage of life.

Seaweed also contains a substantial amount of magnesium, which is a vital nutrient in alleviating stress as well as protecting the brain and body from its adverse effects. The plant also contains lignans, a group of phytonutrients associated with better brain function in postmenopausal women.

Chicken

Most tend to be surprised when they hear that chicken offers health benefits to the brain. It turns out chicken is an excellent source of choline as well as vitamins B6 and B12. All these play a fundamental role in neuroprotection and overall brain health.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are rich in lipophilic antioxidants which help prevent many age related conditions. Including these seeds and other high impact foods such as turmeric or flaxseed to your diet is a straightforward way to add a little brain boost to each bite.

Sage

In many communities, sage has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. However, recent studies have shown that sage may help delay cognitive decline and enhance memory recall.

Butternut Squash

These and other winter squashes are rich in Vitamin C, beta carotene, niacin, folic acid, and antioxidants. They have a lot of body and brain health benefits and add very few calories to your diet.

Lentils

Lentils are legumes rich in folic acid. Research has shown that folic acid is essential for brain plasticity starting at when an infant’s brain first develops all the way through late adulthood.

Za’atar

This spice which few have heard of is of a middle eastern origin. It is a blend of sumac, sesame seeds, thyme, marjoram or oregano. It is known to be an excellent brain food, a fact supported by multiple scientific studies.

Oregano and thyme contain a compound known as carvacrol, which has been proven to affect serotonin and dopamine levels in mice. Sesame seeds, as mentioned earlier, contain lipophilic antioxidants that help prevent age related diseases.

If you are looking to give your brain a healthy boost, try adding any of the foods mentioned in this article to your meals. Supplements can work great to improve cognitive functionality, but there is so much more you can do before resorting to them. Try making a few simple diet changes first, and you’ll be amazed at the improvements they can make. These foods, along with brain and body exercises, will ensure optimal performance of your brain for a long time to come.