It is once again college midterms season, and if youāre anything like me that means youāve found yourself living in the Sci Li recently. I think most people are aware of the importance of sleep, hydration, and mindful study habits, but one thing I havenāt thought too much about is how the snacks that I eat might affect my studying capabilities. I decided to look into it and am definitely planning on mixing up my typical energy drink and protein bar combo. The following are some study snacks to get you through a long cold day in the library–and are scientifically proven to boost your brain!
Blueberries
One study, published in 2018, showed that blueberry consumption may be tied to improved cognitive performance in kids. Berry fruits have previously been shown to have numerous health benefits in terms of cardiovascular health, diabetes, and cancer prevention. This study aimed to explore if cognitive benefits may be added to that list, and found improvements in children. If you can’t find fresh blueberries around, adding them to your Ivy Room smoothie menu might be the next best thing!
Dark Chocolate
Another study shows that 70% cocoa dark chocolate consumption, when compared to a white chocolate control, may benefit episodic memory. This adds to previous research suggesting that daily consumption of dark chocolate may offer several health benefits.
The following TikTok shows a fun way to combine some of these healthy options:
Carrots
It has been shown that beta-carotene, an antioxidant found in high quantities in carrots, may play a role in maintaining mental health and cognitive performance over time. It likely doesnāt act alone, but one review suggests that consistent beta-carotene consumption was associated with improved measures of cognitive function. Plus, pairing carrots with hummus is the perfect boost of natural protein.
Walnuts
Walnuts have several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. A recent study indicated that including walnuts in our diet may be associated with improved cognition and the reduction of age-related cognitive impairment.Ā
Itās impossible to maintain a completely unprocessed, nutrient focused diet every day. Nor do I think we should try to; thereās a time and place for certain processed foods and things that bring us joy. However, I do think that being mindful about the ways we can add to our diet and thus add to our health is especially salient as modern college students. Check out this article for more study snack ideas from Trader Joeās!