There are many things that factor into a successful study session, and there's nothing worse than a growling stomach to interrupt your train of thought. Beat the munchies while feeding your brain with these grab-and-go study snacks that have been proven to help brain function.
Pumpkin seeds
Roasted, lightly salted or raw, all you need is a handful to give your body a boost. Pumpkin seeds can provide you with your daily dose of zinc, which is known for enhancing memory and thinking skills — two things that are crucial to a good study session.
Whole grains
Oatmeal, granola bars, brown rice and whole-grain breads are just a few super foods in the category of whole grains. The great thing about the diversity of whole grains means they could easily be great snacks or something to incorporate into a full meal. Steven Pratt, MD, author of “Superfoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life,” told WebMD, "Every organ in the body is dependent on blood flow. If you promote cardiovascular health, you're promoting good flow to the organ system, which includes the brain."
Blueberries
James Joseph, PhD, lead scientist in the Laboratory of Neuroscience at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, told Newsweek the blueberry should really be called the “brain berry.” While fresh fruits have always been known as a healthy snack option, blueberries boast numerous health benefits, including a boost in memory and motor coordination.
Water
It’s always important to stay hydrated. But when you factor in the lost hours of sleep from the long nights spent in the library, water becomes even more important because dehydration can leave you feeling lethargic.
Dark chocolate
Healthy snacking doesn’t mean you have to ignore your sweet tooth. Dark chocolate is yet another snack that is beneficial to your brain. In a 2006 experimental study, the consumption of high-flavanol cocoa actually improved brain activity by increasing the blood flow to the brain.
