Discover the Top 10 Drinks to Boost Brain Function Effectively at Home

Also known as 'golden milk,' turmeric milk contains the antioxidant curcumin, stimulating the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thereby enhancing efficient brain function.

• Firstly, heat the milk in a pot over low heat until it warms up slowly.
• Once the milk is warm, add turmeric powder and stir until the turmeric dissolves.
• Wait for about 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat. Once the milk cools slightly, add honey and stir well.
• Pour the milk into a glass and enjoy it warm for a delightful experience.

While green tea has much lower caffeine levels compared to coffee, it provides two brain-boosting compounds: l-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Not only does l-theanine promote mental relaxation, but studies suggest it also enhances attention when combined with caffeine. EGCG has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, supporting this vital organ and even helping prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Similar to green tea, certain herbal teas have been proven to sharpen and quicken the brain - including chamomile tea, hibiscus tea, Ashwagandha tea, ginger tea, and Rhodiola tea.

• Place a green tea bag into a large cup, approximately 250ml.
• Pour boiling water to fill the cup (You can pour about 1/4 to rinse). The temperature should be 80-85 degrees Celsius, as higher temperatures may result in excessive bitterness.

Fresh orange juice is rich in vitamin C, a nutrient with numerous benefits for nerve protection. A review of 50 studies revealed that individuals with higher blood vitamin C levels or greater vitamin C intake scored better in attention, memory, and language skills compared to those with lower levels.

Typically, a 240ml glass of orange juice provides 93% of the body's daily vitamin C requirement. However, bottled orange juice often contains added sugars and has high calorie content, leading to increased sugar intake and a higher risk of conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It's best to consume fresh oranges or drink pure squeezed orange juice to limit sugar and calorie intake while providing additional fiber to the body.

How to make orange and carrot juice:

• Cut an orange in half and sprinkle a bit of sugar on the cut sides of the two halves.
• Squeeze the orange and juice the carrot.
• Combine the juices with the following recipe: orange juice + carrot juice + 60ml sugar syrup + 30ml water.

Similar to turmeric milk, herbal milk contains distinctive components from various foods and herbs such as shiitake mushrooms, Ashwagandha, or maca root. This type of milk supports the body in adapting to mental stress, thereby reducing fatigue and improving brain function.

How to make:

• Use pre-made herbal milk packets available at stores or supermarkets.
• Ensure cleanliness of hands and utensils for milk preparation.
• Mix 200ml warm water at about 40-50°C with 5 tablespoons of herbal milk powder (45g).
• Wait until it reaches a temperature suitable for consumption.

Beetroot is rich in nitrate, a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), a compound that the body uses to promote cell oxidation and improve blood circulation. NO also plays a specific role in brain regions responsible for language, learning, and decision-making. Drinking beetroot juice can enhance these functions. In addition to drinking juice, you can mix beetroot powder into filtered water or consume a concentrated beetroot juice, with a dosage of 15 - 30ml/day.

How to make:

• Clean and peel the beetroot.
• Place beetroot in a juicer to extract the juice.
• Pour into a glass, add sugar or condensed milk to taste.

Blueberries are rich in plant compounds that enhance brain function, such as polyphenols and antioxidant anthocyanins. Therefore, drinking juice made from these berries is excellent for brain health. Similar to oranges, consuming whole blueberries provides minimal sugar intake and is healthier.

How to make:

• Rinse blueberries and let them drain.
• Blend blueberries, mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar in a blender.
• Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl or glass jar.
• Add filtered water to the blueberry juice and add ice if you prefer it cold.

Kombucha is a fermented drink made from green or black tea, enhanced with fruits or herbs. The fermentation process enriches Kombucha with probiotic bacteria, beneficial for gut health. Theoretically, improving gut health may enhance brain function through the gut-brain axis, the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain.

How to make Fruit-infused Kombucha:

• Clean the fruits thoroughly and let them dry.
• Extract the fruit juice.
• Mix the water with: Tea + Kombucha F1 + Fruit juice.
• Pour into a bottle and store it in a cool refrigerator.

The combination of green vegetables and fruits (such as curly kale, broccoli, cucumber, green apple, lemongrass…) not only adds delicious flavor to the drink but also provides cognitive benefits from this food group. Although the cognitive boost depends on the chosen ingredients, green vegetable and fruit juices are generally rich in vitamin C and antioxidants beneficial for the brain.

How to make Broccoli and Pineapple Juice:

• Prepare the ingredients: 200g broccoli, 1/2 pineapple
• Clean the broccoli, soak in saltwater for 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water and cut into pieces.
• Peel and core the pineapple, then cut it into slices.
• Use a juicer to extract the juice from broccoli and pineapple.
• Consume this juice daily for cognitive benefits.

This fermented cow's milk beverage is rich in probiotics, offering similar cognitive benefits to kombucha tea. A common alternative to kefir is yogurt.

How to make:

• Boil water in a pot.
• Place a glass in a sieve to let the steam escape, allowing the glass to cool down (do not wipe the glass, as it may reintroduce bacteria).
• The milk package must be dry (avoid taking it directly from the refrigerator, as moisture on the milk package can contaminate it).
• Use sterilized scissors (avoid biting and tearing the package with your mouth) to gently cut and pour the milk into the glass.