Concentration Boost: Best Beverages That Can Help You Stay Focused

Key points

• There are many beverages that can have a positive effect on your memory and concentration levels and thus help you study. These are often referred to as nootropic beverages.
• One of the best drinks for studying is FUL® sparkling spirulina drinks which allow you to get all the nutrients from spirulina while saving you from the foul smell of this algae.
• Other great beverages for students include beetroot juice, tea, coffee, blueberry drinks, green smoothies and juices, turmeric latte, orange juice, kefir, kombucha, almond milk, and even small amounts of alcohol. 

Do you tend to stay up late the night before an exam to finish studying everything you haven’t had time to memorise during the school year? Or are you one of those well-organised and responsible people who study for several hours every day to avoid the need to pull all-nighters? No matter what type you are, we all experience periods of low energy and lack of attention, and we all look for strategies to maintain our focus for longer periods of time in order to finish an essay or read yet another confusing paragraph. 

This is why students utilise numerous ways to help their brains fight exhaustion, one of which is to take nootropic or “smart drugs.” These are dietary supplements that improve cognitive function. Natural nootropics include simple beverages made from various ingredients that contain antioxidants, probiotics, and other nutrients to help with brain function. In this article, we’ll go over some simple drinks you can easily buy or make at home that can help you focus and perform better mentally.

FUL® Sparkling Spirulina Drink

FUL® is a cutting-edge, premium spirulina supplement with superior nutrient bioavailability and numerous health benefits. The spirulina extract used in FUL® sparkling beverages is loaded with antioxidants, magnesium, iron, vitamins C, B1, and B2. Iron helps to preserve many vital functions in the body, supporting energy and focus, while magnesium supports nerve function and the immune system. 

If you’ve ever consumed spirulina supplements, you probably remember their foul taste and fishy smell. However, we can assure you that FUL® is a delicious, nutrient-packed sparkling water that you will only look forward to sipping on sweltering summer days as you read another paragraph. Plus, these beverages come in bottles or cans, so they are very convenient to bring to class. So get on the superfood trend and get ready for your next exam with FUL®.

Beetroot Juice

You may be surprised, but beetroot juice is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and potassium. It also contains nitrates, which are essential for health. Nitrates increase the body’s production of nitric oxide, which helps your body’s circulation and oxygenation. That is why beetroot juice is so popular among athletes, but it also benefits the brain by improving memory retention. To make a “memory cocktail,” simply take 15–30 ml (about 2 tablespoons) of concentrated beetroot juice or combine powdered beetroot with water to make a beverage.

Tea

When there were no energy drinks or real coffee, people drank tea to boost their energy levels. Different types of tea have different properties:

Black Tea

Among all tea varieties, black tea contains the most caffeine, a stimulant that increases alertness and energy.

Green Tea

While green tea contains caffeine, it is also an excellent source of L-theanine. This compound induces a state of calm, leaving your brain relaxed and ready to absorb new information. A cup of green tea is equivalent to 30 minutes of meditation, so it is the ideal beverage for your anxious mind the night before the exam.

Herbal Teas

Rhodiola teas are excellent if you struggle with mental fatigue and deteriorated brain function, while ginseng teas support neuroprotective properties. Sage-infused teas are also good for your mood and focus, and camomile tea lowers your body’s stress levels.

Blueberry Drinks

Have you ever wondered why berries have such vibrant colours? The secret lies in the presence of flavonoids, natural plant pigments found in all berries. Researchers have found that this compound improves memory, which explains why berry-based beverages, particularly those made with blueberries, are extremely beneficial for improving focus. Additionally, blueberries contain a variety of antioxidants that are essential for protecting brain cells from harm and preventing memory decline. The main benefit of these beverages is that they are generally healthy for your body, improving vision and removing toxins in addition to being helpful for cognitive function. And there are numerous ways to prepare blueberry beverages. For example, you can turn them into a juice or smoothie or even create your own cocktail recipe to make them even tastier.

Coffee

The first beverage that comes to your mind when discussing ways to increase energy is probably coffee. Why, then, are we strongly advised to limit our coffee consumption if it is so helpful? Coffee naturally has high caffeine content, but it also has other ingredients that can affect your ability to concentrate. Coffee offers benefits beyond just improving short-term memory. According to statistics, regular coffee drinkers tend to be more alert and mentally sharper than non-drinkers. But it’s important to keep in mind that a safe amount of caffeine is up to 400 mg or 720 ml of coffee per day. Crossing that line puts you at risk for caffeine toxicity, which affects the cardiovascular system. Our recommendation is to stick to a healthy dose of coffee and stop consuming it if you feel that coffee has a negative impact on you and causes symptoms like anxiety, rapid heartbeat, headaches, etc. But if you enjoy this energy drink, you can also try brewing a cup of coffee with a pinch of cinnamon, which not only increases productivity but also reduces anxiety.

Green Smoothies and Juices

Green juices and smoothies are generally regarded as healthy diet supplements. But they work particularly well for boosting concentration and mental activity. The reason for this effect is that green fruits and vegetables are abundant in nutrients that are good for the brain, such as vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, beta carotene, and folate. Moreover, drinks have the advantage of being absorbed by your digestive system much more quickly and having a greater impact on your health than if you were to simply eat the ingredients in them whole. Of course, different ingredients function in various ways. For example, while some contain a significant amount of antioxidants, others have high levels of vitamin C to support your immune system. The best plan of action is to combine a few fruits and vegetables to create a cocktail rich in all types of beneficial compounds. Here are some of the best fruits and veggies for improving your concentration:

• Broccoli
• Cucumbers
• Spinach
• Green apples
• Celery
• Lemongrass

While a simple combination of these ingredients probably won’t be the tastiest thing you’ve ever had, try adding yoghurt, protein powder, and bananas to the drink to make it tasty in addition to healthy.

Turmeric Latte

This warming Indian beverage, also known as golden milk, is made with milk, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and black pepper. Curcumin, an antioxidant found in abundance in turmeric, boosts the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). By increasing BDNF, you can support your brain function and stop the onset of neurological disorders. Actually, you can make your own turmeric powder or purchase it ready-made. To make your own turmeric latte, you will need:

• 2 cups of milk (you can replace it with a plant-based one)
• 5 grams of turmeric
• Sweetener (choose the one you like)
• Cinnamon
• Black pepper

Warm the milk over low heat first, then whisk in the turmeric powder and other spices. If desired, add some sweetener at the end.

Orange Juice

Studies have shown that people with higher blood levels of vitamin C are more adept at remembering things, picking up new languages, and being attentive than those with lower levels of this nutrient. There is evidence that vitamin C can delay cognitive ageing and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (such as dementia). Oranges are among the foods that contain the most vitamin C. While one cup (250 ml) of their juice contains more than 90% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C, it also has a number of other benefits. 

For instance, oranges contain bioflavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and shield the brain from damage caused by free radicals. However, keep in mind that freshly squeezed orange juice is significantly richer in all of those compounds, whereas pasteurisation degrades this beverage’s beneficial qualities. By choosing natural, freshly squeezed orange juice over packed varieties, you will not only give your body an excellent boost of nutrition but also enable your brain to focus and function more efficiently.

Alcoholic Beverages

Recent research suggests that small amounts of alcohol can actually improve learning recall and brain function. A glass of wine will reduce inflammation and make you feel more at ease and creative after a long, busy day. Additionally, it purges your brain of toxins that influence the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Of course, alcohol affects people differently, so you should exercise caution when using this method of memory enhancement, as an evening study session can quickly turn into a night of partying if you’re not careful :)

Almond Milk

Almonds are rich in protein, which, as we all know, gives us more energy and helps to repair damaged brain cells. But vitamin E, which is present in almonds in large amounts, also offers many health benefits. It basically functions as an antioxidant, reducing the risk of cognitive diseases and enhancing memory. Although there is a large variety of almond milk available in stores, you can try making your own version by simply chopping almonds and boiling them with a glass of milk. Enjoy!

Kombucha

Kombucha is a beverage which is made by combining sugar, yeast, and black or green tea. The primary benefit of kombucha comes from its probiotic bacteria that are good for your gut. Studies show that it also improves brain function through the gut-brain axis, which connects the gut and the brain. Kombucha is also a source of vitamins B and C, which are known for improving concentration.

Kefir

Kefir, like kombucha, contains probiotics, which improve brain function via the gut. Kefir can be made by hand, but you can also buy it pre-packaged at a store or switch to yoghurt for a simpler alternative.

Final Thoughts

Helping your brain study to the best of its ability is a good strategy to use. And a great way to do this is to consume nootropic beverages. You can definitely find something tasty for yourself among the many different beverages available, whether you prefer sour or sweet, cold or hot drinks. And keep in mind that every beverage has a different effect on different people, so you always have the option to try something else if one option doesn’t suit you, makes you feel bad, or doesn’t help with concentration.

 

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