Menopause is a time when definitely we can be a bit more distracted and if you’re trying to boost your brain power, the commonest method is to stimulate it with things such as crosswords or jigsaw puzzles.

However, your diet also plays an important part, and we all know the importance of keeping hydrated, but these drinks can make a difference to your brain power too.

1. Coffee

If you can’t get through the morning without it you’re not alone. The majority in the UK drink coffee every day, with over 30 percent having it several times a day.

The caffeine in coffee really does make you more alert. A cup can also help you concentrate and boost your mood plus, lifelong coffee drinkers may have a lower risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Green tea

If you’re not a coffee drinker, this is another way to get your daily caffeine.

Like coffee, tea can make you feel more alert and may help tune out distractions as well, and they definitely don’t help your alertness.

There’s also evidence that it improves memory and attention and has an host of other health benefits too. It is high in protective plant compounds called polyphenols as well as promoting calm, supporting blood sugar control and reducing diabetes risk.

3. Berry juices

These are brain food. So throw some blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries into a juicer, or blend them into a smoothie.

However you drink them, they’re high in antioxidants that protect your cells from damage and a good source of plant chemicals like anthocyanins that support healthy memory.

Try to always make them yourself if you can, as those that you can buy commercially can be high in sugar.

4. Kombucha

This is a mixture of black tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. There are claims it helps with everything from high blood pressure to diabetes and cancer as well as boosting immunity and bringing down inflammation.

Fermented foods such as kimchi and kombucha contain amino acids which are key to the production of serotonin and consuming these foods can have a positive impact on mood and stress reduction.

However, it can definitely be an acquired taste – and I have to admit I haven’t acquired it myself – so start slowly and with small amounts and be cautious.

If you are preparing this yourself, it must be stored in the fridge, otherwise you could drink some bad germs along with the good.

5. Green smoothie

Research has found that just one serving of greens a day can help slow mental decline as you age,

Spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in brain-friendly nutrients like folate and lutein. More common in the USA, in the UK the equivalent are leafy green vegetables like lettuce, Swiss chard, and spinach.

These belong to the Brassica family of cruciferous vegetables, which are known for their nutritional and health-protective benefits. But if not keen on the taste you can blend 2 ounces of greens with berries, a banana, and ice for a rich, nutritious treat that’s also loaded with vitamins A and C.

6. Turmeric tea

This yellow spice is a main ingredient in curry, and it adds an earthy flavour to tea and has been a part of Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is useful for skin, joint, and digestive issues. Researchers are now looking at its protective effects on the brain and whether it might improve memory and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Beetroot juice

This root vegetable is high in antioxidants that protect against damaging substances in the body called free radicals.

It also has nitrates that relax blood vessels and may help to reduce high blood pressure — a risk for stroke and dementia. I find it a very helpful juice if my blood pressure starts rising and because it also helps fight fatigue it can help with brain fog too.

8. Ginseng tea

A staple of traditional Chinese medicine, it may help increase stamina, boost concentration, and improve memory.

Researchers are studying whether it could also protect against depression, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease.

BUT: Asian ginseng can cause side effects, including trouble sleeping and it can lower blood sugar, so check with your doctor before using it if you have diabetes.

9. Hot chocolate

Cocoa is rich in flavanols, a group of active compounds found in cocoa, red wine, green tea, red grapes, berries and apples.

They can help improve attention, processing speed, and memory and might also protect against mental decline, especially in people who are at higher risk for dementia.

Go for dark chocolate with 80 per cent cocoa content as that has more flavanols than milk or white. If watching your weight again dark chocolate is best, but can be high in fat, calories, and sugar so keep an eye on how much you are having.

10. Lemon water

Your whole body needs water — including your brain. When you’re dehydrated, your mental function suffers. Water makes up 75% of your brain’s volume and acts as a natural shock absorber.

Lemon has plant nutrients that protect your cells from damage so add a squeeze of lemon to your glass of water for both flavour and nutrition from its vitamin C content.

11. Red wine

If a glass relaxes you, enjoy it. Red wine is high in natural chemicals that fight inflammation and protect cells in your brain from damage.

Moderate wine drinking could help prevent the blood clots that can lead to stroke and reduce the risk of dementia.

Just watch how much you drink as more than one glass a day for women and two for men can worsen brain changes and increase dementia risk.

12 Lion’s mane mushroom tea

These large white fungi are a staple of Asian cooking and medicine.

The tea is thought to possess properties that can enhance cognitive abilities, which include mental processes like learning, memory, focus, and problem-solving.

Lion’s mane is generally well tolerated, but best to avoid it if you know you are sensitive or allergic to mushrooms.

The most common side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and a skin rash.

Helpful information: 

I hope you have found this helpful, but don’t forget your hormones are going to play part here as well.

Low progesterone levels are often involved so if you are not sure if it is just a bit of brain fog or forgetfulness, or something more serious, then you may also find the following article helpful.

https://anna.blog.wellsprings-health.com/forgetfulness-brain-fog-and-ageing-whats-normal/