"Morning drowsiness and lack of energy at work" is the norm for many office workers, did you know? This is also related to what you eat for breakfast. Taiwan's "Common Health" magazine published an article recommending "brain-awakening breakfast foods" to help you be more energetic in the morning.
Drink a glass of water to awaken your mind. Zhao Sizi, a nutritionist at Taiwan's Tai'an Hospital, states that 75% of the brain's tissue is water. Therefore, before the brain starts to "operate," drinking a glass of warm water can awaken the mind more effectively than any food.
Eat high-protein foods for sharper thinking. Harvard University professor Sinha's research has found that high-protein foods like eggs and meat can cause a slow and stable rise in blood sugar, which lasts from the morning into the afternoon. Furthermore, the tyrosine in protein can promote the secretion of dopamine and norepinephrine, making thinking sharper, reactions more flexible, and improving learning and work efficiency. Tyrosine can be obtained from pork, chicken, seafood, milk, and beans. Notably, foods like deep-sea fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are more beneficial for brain health.
Drink a cup of coffee for a stimulating effect. Peng Qiaozhen, director of the Nutrition Department at Taiwan's Cheng Kung University Hospital, explains that consuming caffeine is like taking a hot bath; it accelerates metabolism, increases heart rate, and heightens alertness. While a small amount of caffeine can stimulate brain activity and have a refreshing effect, drinking too much can cause restlessness, and even headaches and tremors.
Eat foods rich in lecithin, like soybeans, to prevent brain aging. Scientists call lecithin one of the most important substances in the brain, as it is helpful for short-term memory and learning ability because it contains choline, which can enhance the brain's ability to store information and transmit data. Foods rich in lecithin include tofu, soy milk, dried tofu, edamame, and eggs.
Eat staple foods to provide the brain with sustained energy. To achieve peak mental performance throughout the day, in addition to consuming high-protein foods like meat and milk, you should also moderately add carbohydrate-rich foods like rice. Zhao Sizi points out that carbohydrates can be directly converted into glucose, the essential fuel for the brain. Glucose supports the brain in everything it does, such as thinking, remembering, and solving problems. When the glucose supply is sufficient, brain cells become active, and a person appears more energetic. It should be noted that sugary drinks can raise blood sugar; although they can temporarily clear the mind, they overstimulate insulin, which in turn causes a sudden drop in blood sugar. Additionally, it's best to add whole grains like oats to breakfast to lower the blood sugar response while also providing B vitamins, which are beneficial for brain energy metabolism.
Finally, chew slowly to stimulate brain activity. In recent years, studies have pointed out that chewing slowly can promote vigorous brain cell activity and improve memory.