Ever had one of those days where your mind just feels cloudy for some reason, like your mind just won’t cooperate and think of things or remember things as usual?
You keep losing focus, having to reread what you just read or remind yourself what you were just doing, and you can’t pinpoint why you’re so off, despite your motivation or willingness to be doing your activity or task.
The term for this is actually what it feels like – brain fog!
While many different things can cause you to feel brain fog, from lack of sleep to hormonal balances, what you’re eating (or, more likely, not eating) is likely playing a larger role than you think.
In this guide, you’ll discover the brain-gut connection as well as some of the best foods for brain fog.
While not getting enough hours of sleep per night is a common contributing factor, a major reason for brain fog is actually inflammation of the gut and the brain, which are connected by the gut-brain axis.
When your gut is inflamed, the gut microbes in charge of producing the neurotransmitters that balance and boost brain functions, such as mood and cognition, are heavily impacted. This is why inflammation and poor gut health are also heavily linked to depression and anxiety.
In other words, a foggy, leaky gut = a foggy, leaky brain.
Fueling your gut with the right nutrients will help to fuel your brain, sharpening your focus, improving your clarity and lifting that brain fog.
Here are some of our favourite brain fog-curing foods.
Fatty Fish – Rich in omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA, fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are known to reduce gut/brain inflammation.
Berries – A perfect snack, topping or beverage ingredient, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are full of antioxidants called anthocyanins which help with memory.
Avocados – While in the produce aisle, reach for avocados for their healthy fat and folate content, ready to improve your brain’s blood flow.
Leafy Greens – Boosters of brain function, green vegetables like kale and spinach are packed with folate and vitamin K.
Turmeric – One of our favourite broth ingredients, and a general flavour enhancer for anything else, turmeric contains an anti-inflammatory compound known as curcumin which supports cognition.
For an easy, snacky energy boost to beat an anytime slump, nuts and seeds including almonds, chia, flax and walnuts have enough healthy fats to give you a quick zap.
Depending on which you’re craving, both our Beef Bone Broth and Chicken Bone Broth are delicious and nourishing for your gut and your brain. We infuse Shorba Bone Broths with Diaspora Co turmeric and calming spices that support digestion and provide anti-inflammatory benefits to your gut-brain axis.
Love the taste of beef?
Sippable from your favourite mug or fun to cook with, our British Columbia-made Beef Bone Broth is made using bones from local farms with 100% grass-fed beef. The protein, minerals and Ayurvedic spices work together to support digestion and reduce inflammation.
Prefer poultry?
Our Chicken Bone Broth is also made right here in Vancouver from organically sourced bones and has twice the protein of many store-bought broths.
So, the next time you feel that brain fog creeping in, even on the sunniest day, all you have to do is ask yourself:
Have I eaten something that supports my body and brain today?
