Eat your way to a better IQ with these brain-
boosting foods
Got a big exam coming up, a difficult problem to
solve, or just fancy adding a few points to your
IQ? Then try adding these foods to your shopping
basket to give your brain a boost.

Brain boosting food 1: Oily fish

If you struggle to remember what day it is or
what you had for dinner an hour ago, consider
stocking up on the ultimate brain food, oily fish.
Omega-3 fatty acids – found in oily fish such as
salmon, mackerel and sardines – are invaluable
for just about every part of our body, and it
seems our brains are no different. Researchers
from the University of Kuopio in Finland found
that eating oily fish three times a week reduces
the risk of brain problems by 26 per cent and
prevents against memory loss.

Brain boosting food 2: Dark, leafy greens

Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and
broccoli are packed with antioxidants, including
vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are essential
to keep your body and brain in good health. They
are also a good source of folate, which can help
to speed up information processing and memory
recall. Research results published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also
indicated that the folate found in leafy green
vegetables can help to protect against cognitive
decline in old age.

Brain boosting food 3: Eggs

Egg yolks are nutritional powerhouses packed
with many vitamins and minerals essential for
good brain function. This cheap and versatile
ingredient is a good source of iron, which is
essential for creating red blood cells which carry
oxygen to the brain, helping to keep your mental
faculties sharp and to keep you alert and
focused. Eggs are also a good source of vitamin
B12 – a deficiency of which can lead to memory
loss and confusion – and iodine, which has been
shown to improve problem-solving abilities even
in only mildly deficient children.

Brain boosting food 4: Green tea

As your brain is made up of around 80 per cent
water, keeping it properly hydrated is vital for
helping it to function at optimum levels.
However, if you’re not a fan of regular water,
swapping it for a cup of green tea could have
added benefits for your brain. A Korean study
has found that green tea can help to increase
mental alertness and enhance your memory.
Researchers have also found that the
antioxidants found in green tea can help to
protect the brain and reduce risk of dementia.

Brain boosting food 5: Chocolate

No, it’s not just wishful thinking – chocolate really
is good for you! While chomping on bars of milk
chocolate is unlikely to improve your IQ score,
dark chocolate is rich in brain-boosting
chemicals, called flavonoids, which can enhance
your cognitive skills. Research has found that
flavonoids induce the creation of new neurons in
the brain and also improve their ability to form
new memories. Studies also show that flavonoids
improve blood flow to the brain. One study of
adult women found that when given flavonoid-
rich chocolate drinks, the blood flow to
participants' brains increased within two hours
and they performed better on a complex mental
task