Most of us have to juggle and juggle and juggle so many responsibilities and tasks that sometimes our brain just feels like it’s going to explode and we just want to scream “Ahhhh”. It’s called stress! Stress absolutely affects our health. It can really impede us from doing the things we need to do on a daily like exercise and eating right. Shockingly research also shows how stress can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Yikes! While exercise has been known to help improve cognitive function and memory eating certain foods can also increase your odds of maintaining a healthy brain for the rest of your life.

Boost your brain power with these eight foods to help you stay focused all day long:

Avocados
Avocados are almost as good as blueberries in promoting brain health. Avocado is a fatty fruit but it’s a monounsaturated fat, which contributes to healthy blood flow. And healthy blood flow means a healthy brain. Avocados also lower blood pressure. Hypertension is also a risk factor for the decline in cognitive abilities; therefore lower blood pressure should promote brain health.

Blueberries
Research shows that compounds in blueberries known as flavonoids may improve memory, learning ability and general cognitive function, including reasoning skills, decision making, verbal comprehension and numerical ability. In addition, studies comparing dietary habits with cognitive function in adults hint that consuming flavonoids may help slow the decline in mental function that is often seen with aging and might even provide protection against disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Spinach
High in vitamin E it may help protect the brain from cognitive decline as we age. Researchers also found that feeding aging laboratory animals spinach-rich diets significantly improved both their learning capacity and motor skills.

Sardines
Sardines are usually eaten canned which keeps most of the nutrients of fresh sardines. Fresh sardines have one of the richest fish in omega-3 fats, DHA, and EPA. These fatty acids can help improve depression and enhance cognitive powers.

Salmon
Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fasts, of cancer-fighting selenium, and of vitamin B12 which helps protect heart disease and a form of anemia. It may also help with children’s concentration and brain power.

Scallops
Scallops are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin a mood-enhancing in our brains and may help cure insomnia.

Rosemary
According to scientists sniffing rosemary could boost your brain power. Researchers from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom found that the amount of 1,8-cineole, a main chemical in rosemary oil, in the blood is linked with brain performance. Their work was published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.

Sage
Studies on sage indicate that the herb can improve memory and even possibly prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in the June 2003 Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, looked at the effects of sage on memory recall tests. The researchers used 45 individuals in two groups; one group received a placebo while others received sage essential oil at dosages between 50 and 150 microls. Following the administration, memory tests were given. Even those who were given the smallest amount of sage oil saw notable memory improvements.

Cashews
Are a good source of B vitamins for brain power and energy. Cashews are high in magnesium, which can “open up” the blood vessels in your body, including those in your brain. When more oxygen-rich blood nourishes your brain, like any organ, it operates better. By providing your body with phenylalanine, adding almonds to your diet can do wonders for your mental and neurological health. Now that you know the benefits of these eight brain foods make sure to add them to your grocery list and you’re on your way to a better brain and body health. However let’s not forget that combining exercise and a healthy attitude will boost your brain power even more!