ACTIVE FOOD FOR THOUGHT N

ot thinking clearly? Your brain may need some refueling. Try these high-octane foods, and see if you can’t get your mental engine revving.

Leafy Greens

Popeye’s muscles weren’t the only part of his body getting a boost from cans of spinach. Leafy greens, like spinach, kale, and collards, beef up the brain, while taking a few years off, too. A 2006 study in Neurology showed people who ate two or more daily servings of vegetables — especially leafy greens — had the mental focus of people five years their junior.

Apples

This historically famous fruit may be a key player when it comes to warding off Alzheimer’s. Apple peels contain a powerful antioxidant called quercetin, which is a disease-fighting antioxidant that protects cells throughout the body — including brain cells. And based on portion, apples have among the highest concentration of quercetin. So increase your memory function and have an apple a day to keep the doctor... now how does that line go?

Coffee

It is the go-to in the morning when it comes to clearing the cobwebs, and college students swear by it when it comes to cramming. Caffeine is a stimulant that temporarily raises insulin levels, sending sugars into the brain and fueling it temporarily. For years, symptoms of ADHD have been treated with caffeine, aiding in concentration.

But when it comes to coffee, it seems men and women are not created equal. According to a study released by the University of Barcelona, men feel more alert more quickly than women after drinking a caffeinated beverage. The research indicates that men reported feeling less drowsy after only ten minutes and sustained the mental boost for a half-hour. Women also got a “kick” from

As the espresso but rated it weaker than the men did. Also, the study indicates women are more influenced by the placebo effect when it comes to caffeine. When the female participants were given decaf to drink, they reported feelings significantly more alert than the men did, who reported just a slight boost.

Gum

While it may not be considered a food, chewing gum has some benefits when it comes to concentration, anxiety, and fatigue. A 2011 study found that participants who chewed gum during a stressful task were more alert afterward than when they did the task without gum. After two weeks, the participants who chewed gum twice a day scored significantly lower on their state of anxiety than those who did not. A Baylor College of Medicine study also found that students who chewed gum while studying and taking tests showed a significant increase on their math scores and final grades... and they had notably better breath.