When life feels overwhelming, what you sip throughout the day can have a bigger impact on your mental well-being than you might realize. While no beverage is a cure for stress or cognitive decline, certain drinks contain nutrients and plant compounds that research suggests may support brain health, improve focus, and promote a greater sense of calm.
From antioxidant-rich green tea to soothing turmeric lattes, experts say these beverages can nourish your brain while helping you manage everyday stress. Ahead, nutrition professionals reveal two of the best drinks to add to your routine if you’re looking to support your mood, memory, and overall cognitive health.
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1. Green Tea
Green tea is practically a magical beverage, as it's full of nutrients and antioxidants that can better many bodily functions when you drink it routinely. For a long time, health experts have been sharing information on how green tea can assist in weight loss by boosting your metabolism, but it's also highly beneficial for your brain.
Varsha Khatri, MA, FNTP, of Prowise Healthcare, says that the caffeine levels in green tea are great for helping you focus and more. "The moderate caffeine content in green tea improves focus and alertness without causing the jittery feeling often associated with coffee," she explained.
She also noted that green tea contains a special compound, amino acid L-theanine, which is great for sinking deeper into relaxation and reducing stress, therefore improving your mood.
2. Turmeric Latte
If you're looking for a break from your usual coffee or espresso-based lattes, you should try a flavorful turmeric latte to switch things up and give your brain health a boost. As a spice, turmeric is full of nutrients and healthy compounds.
It is known for being anti-inflammatory, which means it can help decrease inflammation in the brain. Turmeric contains one specific antioxidant compound known for helping improve brain health, which is named curcumin.
Khatri says that curcumin has been "linked to improved mood and memory by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth and maintenance of neurons."
Turmeric lattes aren't as complicated to make as you may think, as they consist of something called "golden milk," which is heated milk mixed with turmeric and other spices. Some people enjoy them even more when they add honey or maple syrup as healthier sweeteners.
