Need a Brain Boost?

When you're feeling the pressure to be 'smart'...helping the kids with their homework, doing your taxes or other countless tasks that require brain power, these foods may help boost your brain 'smarts'.

The below foods also help slow cognitive decline, improve your memory and protect your mental sharpness.

Eating blueberries, which are high in antioxidants, help protect the brain from free radical damage. Blueberries also improve cognitive processing. If you can find 'wild' blueberries, they have even more brain boosting antioxidants than our civilized variety.

A fresh brewed coffee is the ultimate brain fuel. The caffeine has been said to show that it retards the aging process and enhances short term memory performance. In a British study, researchers have found that people consuming the caffeine equaling one cup of coffee experience improved attention and problem solving skills.

Salmon or mackerel contains omega 3 fatty acids that are one of the primary building blocks of brain tissue. Salmon is also rich in niacin, which wards off Alzheimer's disease and slows the rate of cognitive decline.

Keep away from sugary foods, which causes surges in glucose. In the long term, the highs and lows can lead to lack of concentration. Also stay away from foods high in saturated fat. This fat can clog blood vessels and prevent the flow of nutrients and blood to the brain.