Did you know that certain foods can improve your memory and concentration? Whether you’re going to school or to work, get smart and make sure to these brain-charging foods are part of your regular diet.

1. Blueberries:

Powerful antioxidants in blueberries help increase your brain’s ability to send signals quickly and improve its capacity to store information. They also help boost your mental health by stimulating neural regeneration in your brain and enhancing memory.

How to use: A perfect addition to your morning bowl of cereal or plain yogurt. Or just eat them as they are.

2. Raw Cacao Powder:

Unlike the refined kind, raw cacao is minimally processed so it retains much higher levels of antioxidants and other important nutrients such as iron, calcium and magnesium, vital for brain and cognitive function. Raw cacao also helps elevate mood by boosting endorphins.

How to use: Just like normal cocoa powder, but you will need to add some sort of sweetener – like maple syrup. Enjoy in hot drinks, smoothies, porridge, cookies, cakes, raw chocolate and desserts. Opt for cacao-rich dark chocolate next time you’re feeling the pressure!

3. Green tea

Green tea helps you focus because it contains caffeine and L theanine. Caffeine helps you focus and improves your alertness. L theanine is an amino acid that increases alpha-wave activity, which increases feelings of tranquility. These two ingredients combine to increase your ability to focus attention and improve your speed and accuracy.

How to use: If you’re able to handle the caffeine content, drink up to 4 cups daily.

4. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, which helps increase your memory, problem solving abilities and mental speed. In addition, they are a good source of glutamate, needed to make GABA (the anti-stress brain chemical) and niacin, which enhances GABA activity in the brain and helps reduce stress.

How to use: Great on their own as a snack, or added to salads, granola or trail mix

5. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds were consumed thousands of years ago by the Aztecs and the Mayans, who understood their ability to provide lasting energy and stamina – chia comes from the Mayan word for strength. Today we are rediscovering the nutritional value of chia seeds, including their rich omega-3 fatty acid content – essential for mental health and brain function.

How to use: Eat raw or sprinkle on your salad, add to baked goods, porridge, pancakes and granola. Chia seeds go undetected in a smoothie so a great way to boost omegas for kids. 1 – 2 tablespoons a day.

6. Coconut Oil

Beneficial for brain function as it is rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCT). These fats are easily converted into fuel that helps boost your energy and endurance while supporting learning and memory retention.

How to use: Add to smoothies, desserts, coffee, baked goods, cookies, pancakes, granola and dressings. Also a perfect base for your raw chocolate and sweet treats.

7. Maca

Made from the root of a Peruvian radish-like plant, maca has been long been appreciated for its positive effect on energy levels and endurance. Maca also has a positive effect on mental health, improving academic ability and memory, while combatting anxiety, tension and depression.

How to use: Best enjoyed in a smoothie but can be added to cereals, porridge, pancakes, scrambled eggs and soups. Start with ¼ teaspoon and don’t exceed 2 teaspoons daily.

8. Spirulina

A blue-green alga rich in many of the essential amino acids that are only available through food. Spirulina also contains essential fatty acids and many other vitamins and minerals necessary for proper brain health. It is high in antioxidants such as vitamin E, selenium and carotenoids that help prevent degenerative disease and even reverse age-related brain damage.

How to use: Best added to a smoothie. One tablespoon is the usual dose, but you may go up to six tablespoons daily. Good source of vegan protein. Do not heat.

9. Goji Berries:

Originally from the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet and Mongolia, traditional Chinese medicine has been using goji for thousands of years to promote strength and longevity. Recently they have become popular due to their reputed ability for boosting brain power and memory-enhancing effects. Goji berries are also high in antioxidants which help combat inflammation and reduce the accumulation of toxins in the brain.

How to use: Eat alone or added to trail mix, muesli, granola, oatmeal, or smoothies.

10. Turmeric

An antioxidant spice with powerful anti-inflammatory properties which may help safeguard the brain and protect against Alzheimer’s disease. May boost the growth of the brain’s neural stem cells, which play an important role in self-repair and protection against neurodegenerative disease.

How to use: Add turmeric to scatter or your chosen food just a little on the warm milk and drink it to boost your brain power. May be taken in supplement form too.