For brain health, blueberry juice, beetroot juice, and orange juice are top contenders, packed with antioxidants (like anthocyanins and flavonoids) and nitrates that boost blood flow, fight inflammation, protect brain cells, and support memory and focus. Other excellent options include juices from pomegranates, leafy greens (spinach, kale), cherries, watermelon, and turmeric, offering diverse nutrients like polyphenols, nitric oxide precursors, and anti-inflammatory curcumin to support overall cognitive function.
Pomegranate juice contains many antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which have protective qualities for the brain. One study of older adults with memory loss found that after a month of drinking pomegranate juice, participants greatly improved in verbal and visual-memory performance.
About 75% of the brain is made up of water
This means that dehydration, even as small as 2%, can have a negative effect on brain functions. Dehydration and a loss of sodium and electrolytes can cause acute changes in memory and attention.
You may drink green tea to help relieve anxiety and improve memory and attention due to L-theanine and caffeine. Orange juice may lower the risk of dementia when you drink it daily as 100% juice. Other beverages that may support your brain health include ginseng tea, coffee, and kefir.
8 Superfoods for Brain Health
Be physically active every day
This might help keep your memory sharp. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
Drinks that enhance brain function
Here are six things I recommend to my patients in order of importance:
8 Bad Habits That Are Killing Your Brain Cells
Water or electrolyte replenishment beverages like Sqwincher are an excellent choice, but coffee and even food (especially those with high water content) work, too.
Most of the brain, around 85 per cent, is taken up by the cerebrum. It is this structure that gives the brain its distinctive shape of two halves - the right and left hemispheres. The cortex is essentially a sheet of neurons about 3mm thick, which forms the 'grey matter'.
Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanin and other flavonoids that may improve brain function. Grapes are full of resveratrol, a memory-boosting compound. Concord grapes are rich in polyphenols, which have the potential to promote brain function.
1. Pomegranate, Orange & Pineapple. Pomegranate and oranges are packed with vitamin C, potassium, and folate which release energy steadily over time to keep you going all day long.
BRAINJUICE is a liquid all natural dietary supplement designed to give your brain a boost. In addition to essential vitamins, our BrainPower Blend contains nutrients your brain needs to produce the essential chemical neurotransmitters the brain sends to the body and organs; acetylcholine and dopamine.
Reach for a banana. “Your brain runs purely off glucose (a type of sugar) and bananas are packed full it. Eating a banana will give your brain the healthy, natural, low GI sugar that it needs during exam time.
G FUEL provides more consistent energy than coffee, plus vitamins and amino acids. No coffee breath, no staining, and better hydration. Many students switch completely to these brain fuel drinks.
Studies have found that taking vitamin B12 can improve memory and focus in those who have low B12 levels.
About 75% of your brain is water, making hydration crucial for sharp thinking, focus, and mood, as even mild dehydration (losing 2% of body water) can impair memory, concentration, and reaction time. The remaining part of the brain is mostly fat, and this water content is essential for creating neurotransmitters and supporting brain function.
They include:
Five key signs your brain might be in trouble include significant memory loss (forgetting important things or familiar routines), difficulty with everyday tasks, confusion about time/place, problems with language/communication, and noticeable personality or mood changes, such as increased irritability or loss of interest in hobbies, which signal potential cognitive decline or neurological issues.
Here are eight evidenced-based tips to age healthily, no matter where you live:
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for leftover safety: get cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours, eat it within 2 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months to prevent bacteria growth, keeping it out of the temperature "danger zone" (40-140°F or 5-60°C).
Understanding the 3-3-3 Rule
Specifically, the rule suggests: Three balanced meals per day. Three hours between each meal. Three hours of movement per week.