Is there one food that can guarantee food grades? Studies show that youngsters, who eat a variety of food pay attention in school, are less fidgety and learn better. If they eat well on test days, they make fewer mistakes. According to a 2003 BBC news report, demand for fish, vegetables and ‘brain foods’ rose sharply during the exam period.

A major supermarket in the United Kingdom found that sales of fish like cod, plaice and mackerel were up during the exam period in towns with institutions of higher learning. Fish contains dimethlyamino-ethanol, which is thought to improve the memory. Other types of foods selling strongly included avocados, bananas and melons. Not surprising, the increase in the sale of fish is largest in university towns like Cambridge, Oxford, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Durham.

The question is; do we need special formulas or exclusive food to improve brain power? A balanced diet and sufficient sleep is crucial for memory power. Students should be discouraged from last minute mugging. Some may resort to numerous cups of coffee, but again this doesn’t work for everyone. Others take supplements which act as an umbrella for perceived nutrient deficiency. This shouldn’t be so, unless you know for sure that you’re deficient in certain nutrients.

We live in a fast paced and increasingly complex world that requires mental sharpness and the ability to stay focused. Stress, anxiety, fatigue, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, the aging process and less than ideal nutrition all play a part with the deterioration of mental functioning.

Consuming fresh nutritious food is a better and safer option. Foods that are high in fat and sugar content should be avoided. Such foods give only empty calories. A well-balanced diet provides the building blocks for brain health and growth. Foods that are especially good for the brain are fruits and vegetables which provide antioxidants to help maintain balance, coordination and memory function. Proteins maintain nerve cell structure and calcium is not just important for bone structure, but is also needed for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction. Besides that, soy products provide choline, a nutrient that builds neurotransmitters that pass electrical impulses between brain cells. Examples of good sources of choline are egg yolks, peanuts and liver. As water makes up 85% of the brain weight, a lack of water leads to dehydration, making it hard to concentrate among other bad effects.

Basically, the ratio of macronutrients and micronutrients needs to be adequate. If there’re insufficient nutrients, this may impair a person’s cognitive performance. It’s most importance not to skip meals. This idea of skipping a meal and making up for it later doesn’t work.

(Adapted from The New Sunday Times, 25 September 2005)

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