Coffee And Other Things That Boost Brain Power

Would I stop drinking coffee if I found out it was bad for me? Probably not. But, would I drink more if I found out it was actually beneficial to my health? I'm not sure, but it would definitely give me a good excuse to do so. According to a recent study, coffee guards against mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition which can be an indication of future dementia and Alzheimer's disease. So hey, go ahead and pour yourself another cup, as long as you don't think it will interfere with your sleep schedule too much.

According to the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers found that drinking a consistent, moderate amount of coffee each day significantly reduces the risk of developing MCI. Researchers evaluated 1,445 individuals between the ages of 65 and 84 and found that cognitively "normal" older individuals who regularly consumed one to two cups of coffee a day had a lower rate of MCI than those who consumed zero to one cup a day.

However, don't go chugging your K-Cups quite yet. The study also found that those individuals who increased their coffee consumption over time had a higher rate of MCI. So what does this mean? It's all about balance. Constant, yet moderate, daily coffee consumption is the way to go. Coffee is good for you, but don't fluctuate your intake too much and don't overdo it.

So now that we know that coffee can help our minds, here are some other wonderful things that can boost brain power, too. Who says keeping our minds in shape can't be enjoyable?

1. Super Foods

Foods like avocados, blueberries, fish, and spinach all have components that increase brain function.

2. Sleep

Getting a full night's sleep is actually linked to memory recollection — it can help you choose better answers on tests and improve decision making.

3. Sarcasm

Yes, being a smartass can actually help your brain — or at least, it means you are more creative. Creativity is part of brain power, right?

4. Water

Ever feel like you've lost 40 IQ points when you're hungover? A lot of it has to do with dehydration. Water helps our brains function up to speed and can actually aid in short-term memory function.

5. Chocolate

Research that has found that chocolate can help improve short-term cognitive function, especially in old age. Yes, please.

So basically, our health has a lot to do with what goes into our mouths and I'm not mad about any of it. A mocha cappuccino in the morning and an avocado and fish salad for lunch, followed by some sarcasm, and a long nap, and I'm healthy? I'm on board with that.

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