Many people are looking for easy ways to improve their concentration, memory, and productivity. That is why nootropics, also known as "smart drugs," are becoming increasingly popular. Nootropics are natural or synthetic compounds that may enhance brain function. Several beverages contain natural nootropic compounds, whereas hundreds of nootropic supplements are available. Furthermore, other drinks contain ingredients that may help your brain function, such as antioxidants or probiotics. Here’s a list of drinks you can choose to improve your brain health.
1. Green Tea
Green tea contains far less caffeine than coffee. It does, however, contain two promising nootropic compounds: l-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). According to research, l-theanine may promote relaxation, and l-theanine combined with caffeine may improve attention. Green tea may help with focus, attention, and memory, according to a review of 21 human studies.
Furthermore, because EGCG can cross the blood-brain barrier, it has the potential to benefit your brain or even combat neurodegenerative diseases.
2. Coffee
Coffee is probably the most popular nootropic beverage. Caffeine provides the majority of its brain benefits, but it also contains other compounds, such as the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, that may have an effect on your brain. Caffeine may improve focus, alertness, reaction time, and memory in doses of 40-300 mg, which is approximately 0.5-3 cups (120-720 ml) of coffee. Coffee may also help prevent Alzheimer's disease. A dose equivalent to 5 cups (1.2 litres) of coffee per day, or about 500 mg of caffeine, helped prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease in a weeklong mouse study.
3. Orange Juice
1 cup (240 ml) of orange juice contains 93 per cent of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C. Surprisingly, this vitamin may have neuroprotective properties. According to one review of 50 human studies, those with higher blood levels of vitamin C or higher self-reported vitamin C intake had better attention, memory, and language scores than those with lower blood or intake levels.
4. Turmeric Lattes
Turmeric lattes, also known as golden milk, are warm, creamy drinks made with the bright yellow spice turmeric. Curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric, may boost your body's production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Because low BDNF levels are linked to mental deficits and neurological disorders, increasing BDNF levels may improve brain function. However, turmeric lattes contain far less curcumin than is commonly administered in studies.
5. Blueberry Juice
Blueberries are high in polyphenol plant compounds, which may have brain-boosting properties. Anthocyanins, the antioxidants that give these berries their blueish-purple colour, may play a significant role. Similarly, blueberry juice is high in these compounds.
Nonetheless, a review of high-quality studies involving nearly 400 people found mixed results. The most significant positive effect involved improved short- and long-term memory.
