Diet is really important, and it’s something we all know. But did you realize it affects how well your brain works too? When you’re feeling especially scattered or slow mentally, your diet might be the culprit. This article dives into why we experience mental fatigue and offers some dietary tweaks to help clear your mind.
Our brains handle everything from processing experiences and concentrating on tasks to storing memories. So, it’s crucial to take good care of our mental health to stay focused and remember all those important details we pick up every day.
One specific issue people face when their brains aren’t functioning optimally is mental fog. This term covers various symptoms that hinder clear thinking. To help on those days when your brain feels foggy and you can’t concentrate, we’ve put together a list of brain-boosting foods.
Before we get into the foods that help combat mental fog, let’s look at what causes it. Numerous factors can affect cognitive function and well-being.
Now that we’ve covered the potential causes of mental fatigue, let’s focus on foods and other remedies to clear that mental fog and improve your brainpower.
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for your body and offer numerous brain benefits. These fatty acids can ease depression symptoms and can even make antidepressants more effective. Moreover, they have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce physical stress on the brain.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed oil, fish oil, chia seeds, walnuts, fatty fish, soybeans, and spinach. Eating these can not only reduce mental fatigue but also boost overall cognitive performance.
Staying hydrated is essential for both body and mind health. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that even slight dehydration can seriously impact mental performance. The research tested focus and mental fatigue among 25 women, some properly hydrated and others with just 1% less fluid (a very minimal dehydrated state).
The less hydrated women experienced more mental fatigue, lower mood, and had a harder time concentrating compared to those who were well-hydrated. Drinking lots of water helps keep you hydrated, and eating fruits with high water content, like watermelon (about 90% water), can also help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Turmeric has become popular in recent years for reducing arthritis symptoms like inflammation and joint pain, and it’s good for your brain too. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, helps break down amyloid-beta plaques, which contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK.
However, curcumin isn’t easily absorbed by the body, so taking a supplement might be more effective than just adding turmeric to your food.
Yogurt is another great food if you’re feeling mentally foggy. As a probiotic, it contains beneficial bacteria for your digestive tract, which in turn, benefits your brain. Caltech research shows that about 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut, meaning only 10% comes from the brain. A healthy gut can help produce serotonin, keeping you focused and in a good mood.
There are many other foods that can keep your mind sharp throughout the day. Men’s Fitness suggests adding more nuts, crimini mushrooms, sweet potatoes, beans, oatmeal, and milk to your diet to combat mental fatigue and boost cognitive performance.
Mental fog includes a range of symptoms affecting cognitive abilities and can hinder daily tasks. Most of us face mental fog at some point. When you’re not feeling your sharpest, try adjusting your diet.