With exam season just around the corner for a lot of students, many will be looking at how they can squeeze the most out of their study time and remain focused.

What many may not realise is that what you eat and drink can have a big impact on your energy and focus levels, which is why it’s important to maintain a balanced diet.

Below, Matthew Kelly, founder of functional routine beverage brand Spacegoods, has given some insight into foods and drinks you should consider adding to your diet ahead of exam season so you can maximise your productivity.

Mushroom Coffee

If you’re looking to maintain focus and productivity during exam season this summer, then one thing you should consider adding to your daily routine is mushroom coffee.

Mushroom coffee can be great for maintaining focus and productivity because it contains functional mushrooms, including lion’s mane and cordyceps, along with other adaptogens. Lion’s mane in particular can help to support brain health while improving memory and concentration, while cordyceps can help to increase stamina and energy.

The reason mushroom coffee is a better alternative to regular coffee during exam season is that it provides a notable energy boost without jitters and anxiety because it typically contains less caffeine. Not only that, but the energy you get from mushroom coffee is more stable and sustained, which is ideal when you are trying to stay focused for hours at a time.

Berries

Berries are also a good source of energy when studying for exams. Coming in many different varieties, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, these colourful fruits are often referred to as a ‘superfood’ because they are packed with what are known as anthocyanins as well as other vitamins. Berries have been shown to improve attention, memory and brain processing speed, so they are ideal for when you want to maintain focus.

Not only that, but they are delicious and have lots of nutritional benefits too, so they are a great option to give your brain a boost.

Nuts

Nuts are another great snack if you’re looking to keep yourself focused throughout your studies.

This is because nuts are packed with essential vitamins that are great for your brain health, such as zinc and omega-3. A recent study found that eating walnuts for breakfast could improve brain function throughout the day, including memory and faster reaction times.

Wholegrains

Wholegrains are another great option for those looking to increase their energy and focus levels. They are complex carbohydrates, which means that they release glucose into the bloodstream a lot more slowly, which helps us to stay alert and focused throughout the day.

As well as this, wholegrain foods are rich in B vitamins that perform lots of beneficial functions for the brain.

Oily Fish

Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel are also excellent brain foods because they have such high omega-3 content. Omega-3 is a vitamin that supports functions in the brain such as memory and attention, which can be perfect if you are focusing for long periods of time.

Some studies have indicated that oily fish also has added benefits to your wellbeing, such as enhancing your overall moods and mental wellbeing, which is why it’s a great idea to incorporate it into your diet while studying.

Eggs

Eggs are often known as ‘nature’s vitamin’ due to the variety of multivitamins that they contain, which can be great for improving overall brain function.

They contain fat and protein and other nutrients, which can provide you energy and focus for hours, while selenium in eggs can help to improve your overall mood.

Avocado

Avocado is another great food for promoting brain health and function.

It’s rich in monounsaturated fats that help to improve blood circulation, which helps to fuel your brain. Avocados also help to lower blood pressure; this can in turn reduce chances of cognitive decline when concentrating.

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