5 Surprising Foods That Boost Brainpower

We’ve all lost our phones, keys, or can’t recall if the oven is off. And it’s not like it gets better as we age.

The good news is that there are many foods that boost brainpower and fuel a stronger memory. Wellness experts offered helpful advice on the best ingredients to nourish the brain for long-lasting memory and wellness.

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1. Avocado

Is there anything this green wonder can’t do? The creamy, subtly sweet fruit won our hearts with its versatility and richness. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also full of unsaturated fats and an abundance of nutrients, including vitamin C and potassium, which is why clean eats food blogger Yumna Jawad is especially keen on them. The good fats in avocados “can actually improve the blood supply to the brain, which, in turn, helps improve muscle memory and cognitive abilities.” Vitamin C is also important for brain function, and a lack of potassium can be a cause of brain fog.

Try it: Treat yourself to these Beauty-Boosting Avocado Brownies.

2. Jicama

Next time you walk through the produce section at your local market, don’t pass by that squat, round, pale-brown root-looking thing. Jicama—a popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine—is a fiber-rich powerhouse, and “fiber content feed(s) the beneficial bacteria in our guts that produce a compound called butyric acid, which prevents neurodegeneration and actually helps regenerate brain,” says Doctor of Oriental Medicine Pedram Shojai.

Try it: Fresh jicama adds a refreshing crunch to salads. Or, turn it into a healthier take on fries: Slice into strips, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake until golden.

3. Turmeric

Part of the ginger family, turmeric, is one of the buzziest wellness-promoting ingredients of the last decade, and for good reason. “Turmeric is nothing short of ‘nutritional gold’ for brain and mental wellbeing,” says youtheory® chief scientific officer Dr. Nick Bitz. “Its primary compound, curcumin, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, and influences many structures and functions within the central nervous system.”

Try it: The easiest and most effective way to get it every day is to pop a convenient supplement.

4. Beets

Sweet, earthy, magenta-hued beets “should be the first thing that comes to mind” when considering brainpower-boosting foods, says nutritionist Tara Milhem. “Beets are rich in nitrates, the good kind, which work to relax the blood vessels and allow oxygen-rich blood to travel throughout the body.” And for your brain, that means “more blood flow to the frontal lobe, which results in a better ability to focus and pay attention to detail,” she adds.

Try it: Add half of a medium-sized cooked beet to your favorite hummus recipe when blending, or bake them into super-healthy chips.

5. Oranges

This vitamin-C-rich fruit is not only good for the common cold, but it’s one of the many surprising foods that boost brainpower. Oranges and other fruits and vegetables, such as bell peppers, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli, play a huge role in mood and memory. In a 2021 study, people whose diets were high in a specific type of plant chemical, flavonoids, were less likely to report memory loss or confusion.

Try it: Enjoy oranges on their own, or try them in a smoothie. Blend oranges, pineapple chunks, and coconut milk in a blender and serve.

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