Exam periods are generally not the healthiest times of our lives. While we’re trying to memorise entire Shakespearean soliloquies or understand advanced calculus, it’s only natural that eating healthily would be the last thing on our minds.
Yet if you’re really serious about getting good marks, having a healthy diet full of brain foods (and getting rid of the deleterious ones) could make a huge difference to your grades and your exam mindset.
Luckily, we have some pretty smart tips up our sleeves for when our brains need that little bit of extra help. Check out our list below – and give the last-minute crammers a helping hand by putting your best study tips in the comments below!
1. Eat chocolate.
Yep, we give you permission (try and make sure it’s at least 85% cacao, though. Tim Tams don’t count). The bitter flavanols in cacao have been shown to improve cognition, protect the brain and enhance the mood. No wonder you reach for chocolate when you’re stressed!
2. Look after your second brain.
We’re talking about the gut, which some experts call the second brain due to its complex nervous system and direct link to your noggin. It’s theorised that poor gut health (often from eating too much junk food) could be partially responsible for brain fog and even feelings of anxiety and depression. Make sure you’re eating plenty of gut-friendly foods, like yoghurt, kombucha, sauerkraut and gelatin.
3. Have sardines for dinner.
It’s no myth – omega-3 fatty acid has been shown to be great for your brain, helping both visual memory and information recall. Oily fish like sardines are an excellent source, but there’s also plenty of vegetarian options in flaxseed and chia.
Grilled Sardines with Fennel Slaw
4. Snack on blueberries.
This jewel of a fruit has potent anti-inflammatory properties. In moderate amounts, blueberries may increase neural signalling (making you think faster).
Turmeric + Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
5. Up your magnesium intake.
Magnesium is known to be good for brain health – it’s even prescribed to treat acute concussions. You can find it almost everywhere, in dark leafy greens, avocados and sunflower seeds to name a few.
Sunflower Seed Falafel Balls with Tahini Dipping Sauce
6. Stop and smell the… rosemary?
A study showed that a whiff of rosemary may improve memory by 75 per cent! While there’s not much science on this yet, we’re willing to give it a try (hey, rosemary smells pretty good). Place some in a vase by your study desk or just cook something with the delicous herb.
7. Don’t eat sugar!
Have you noticed our brain-boosting remedies are naturally low in fructose? It’s no coincidence. Studies have also shown that a high-sugar diet makes the brain slow, tired and forgetful. So, as much as you might be craving Red Bull, your marks will thank you for staying off sugar during exam period.
We originally published this article in August 2015. We updated it in October 2016.
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