Rebecca Costa

Over time we've learned that diet, rest, and exercise play a crucial role in almost all areas of life. Our diet acts just like the quality of gas we put into our car. Cheap fuel can gunk up the works when it comes to blood flow slowing down the quantity of blood to the brain. What's more, the performance of the neurotransmitters in the brain depends on what we eat because neurotransmitters are made from amino acids, and amino acids come from the protein in our diet (meat, fish, and cheese).

So, the first priority for getting the highest brain performance is to consume sufficient amounts of protein each day. Insights are cognitively taxing to the human brain, so it makes sense that fueling our neurotransmitters with high-octane fuel — protein — is essential for high-powered thinking.

Next come antioxidants from foods like blueberries, Matcha green tea, and walnuts, which stave off cognitive cell damage.

In addition, high-quality dark chocolate is known to activate the production of dopamine, which has a direct impact on both memory and learning.

Finally, Omega-3 fatty acids from fish (coldwater fish like wild salmon) have been proven to suppress brain cell inflammation. The human brain is more than 60 percent fat, so an insufficiency of Omega-3 fats leads to depression, poor memory, and learning disabilities.

Food Associated with Higher Brain Functioning

• Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, and Blackberries
• Avocados, Carrots, Tomatoes, and Eggplant
• Spinach, Kale, Romaine Lettuce, Brussels Sprouts, and Broccoli
• Wild Salmon, Sardines, and Herring
• Sunflower Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Flax Seeds, and Pumpkin Seeds
• Walnuts, Hazelnuts also known as Cobnuts or Filberts, Brazil Nuts, Almonds, Cashews, and Peanuts
• Oatmeal
• Brown Rice
• Whole Grain Breads
• Popcorn
• Barley
• Black Beans, Lima Beans, Pinto Beans, Kidney Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Great Northern Beans, Navy Beans, Peas, and Lentils
• Cantaloupe, Mangos, Apricots, Papaya, Oranges, Prunes, Red Grapes, and Cherries
• Freshly Brewed Green Tea
• Dark Chocolate
• Water (Eight Glasses Per Day)
• Sage
• Eggs
• Curry Spice