The most dreadful time of the year has finally arrived. It's the time when students all over the nation cry from lack of sleep, stress, and regret from not going to class for every single lecture. Yep, you guessed it, it’s finals week. A one-week event full of all-nighters, last minute cramming, and lots of late night snacking. Coffee, chips, pizza, or even Jimmy John's -- you name it, and odds are we’ve all probably eaten it while in the library at 2 a.m. Yet this year, there are other foods to satisfy all of our late night finals week cravings that can actually benefit our brains. Here are six of the best brain foods to eat for your upcoming exams.
1. Bananas and peanut butter.
Bananas and peanut butter make a delicious combo when put together. Bananas are rich with vitamins, minerals, potassium, and amino acids that all help to enhance brain function. Additionally, bananas contain what is known as tryptophan, which stimulates the body’s production of serotonin. Serotonin, in turn, keeps us in a positive mood and helps to fight off depressive tendencies, which can sometimes evolve during exam times. Peanut butter also contains many contents that are important for the body, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. All of these elements are nutritious for the brain.
2. Whole wheat crackers.
Whole wheat crackers are a great snack to overcome salty cravings, but they are also great for promoting brainpower. These crackers contain carbohydrates, which are then broken down into glucose during digestion. Glucose is needed for the brain to function properly, which is why the more crackers you eat, the better it is for your mind.
3. Avocados.
Avocados are hands down delicious to eat at any time of the year, but they’re especially great for around finals week because they are loaded with vitamin C and vitamin E. These two vitamins are known for increasing the retention rate of the brain, which can help you to remember more of what you need to know for your exam. So whether you eat an avocado plain or use it as a spread, this is one food that’ll definitely boost your brainpower.
4. Blueberries.
Blueberries really benefit the brain because they contain an antioxidant known as anthocyanin, which has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore strengthens communication between brain neurons. This helps to eliminate the presence of toxic proteins in the body as well as promoting the brain’s ability to remember information. Mix these in with yogurt for one tasty treat.
5. Dark chocolate.
As if we all didn’t binge eat chocolate, already. Now, you don’t have to feel guilty about it because this sweet delight can actually be good help for finals week. Dark chocolate is loaded with endorphins that keep us in a positive mood and keep our stress levels down. It can also boost memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain.
6. Salmon.
Not everyone is a fish person, but if you do happen to enjoy seafood then you should probably cook up some salmon for dinner the night before your exam. Salmon is rich with omega-3 fatty acids, which include DHA. DHA, which is also known as docosahexaenoic acid, is good for increasing the function of neurons in the brain.
