6 Foods That Will Help To Improve Concentration

Imagine your brain as the ultimate command center of your body, orchestrating every sensation, thought, and movement you experience. From the simplest tasks like breathing to complex cognitive functions like problem-solving, your brain tirelessly works behind the scenes to keep you functioning at your best.

Given its monumental role, it's no surprise that your brain demands a significant amount of energy to function optimally. In fact, research from 2011 suggests that the brain consumes a staggering 20 percent of your body's total calories, despite accounting for only 2 percent of your body weight.

But where does this energy come from? Enter glucose, the brain's preferred fuel source and a key component of carbohydrates. What you eat directly impacts your brain's energy levels, making proper nutrition crucial for maintaining cognitive health and function. In this article, we'll explore a variety of foods scientifically proven to improve concentration, helping you unlock your full cognitive potential and achieve peak productivity.

# Any foods high in omega 3, such as oily fish (salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines), flax seeds and walnuts are great for improving concentration and motivation as they improve cognitive function, which means they help with the brains ability to think and process. They are also anti-inflammatory, so they keep cells functioning optimally which help the brain function well also.

# Any foods high in antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E ) such as fruits (especially berries and tomatoes) and vegetables (especially cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli) are beneficial. These may help with blood flow to the brain, which will supply the brain cells with more oxygen and again these are anti-inflammatory, so they help the brain function optimally.

# Moderate amounts of caffeine are good for concentration and motivation. Green tea and dark chocolate are the best sources, as these contain specific anti-oxidants called polyphenols that improve brain function and decrease cell death. Caffeine is good when you need an instant boost, but try not to rely on this all the time, as an excessive intake will have the opposite effect.

# Any foods such as ripe bananas (look out for brown spots on the skin) or sunflower seeds are high in dopamine – a brain chemical involved in increasing motivation and concentration. Caffeine also helps to increase dopamine levels.

# Foods high in vitamins B6 and B12 are good for memory and concentration, as these improve cognitive functioning of the brain and also prevent diseases like alzheimers and dementia, as they protect the brain from nerve damage from a chemical called homocysteine involved in the development of these diseases. Foods such as fish, meat, whole grains, eggs and nuts are high in B6 and eggs, fish, meat dairy and seaweed are high in B12.

# Foods high in fibre such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans are great for concentration and motivation. The reason for this is because they help to sustain a regular level of energy, because they keep blood sugar levels stable. This means the brain cells and all other cells in the body are receiving enough energy to function optimally.