Food and Focus: How What You Eat Affects Your Brain During Exams

During exam season, many students survive solely on snacks and junk food. Some even skip meals under the guise of not having time? A very important yet uncommon knowledge is that what you eat directly affects your concentration, memory, and energy levels.

Your brain needs the right fuel to function effectively, especially when you’re studying for long hours. Eating healthy during exams is not just about physical health, it’s about giving your mind the strength to stay sharp, alert, and productive.

The Advantages of Eating Healthy During Exams include:

1.      Healthy eating improves concentration: 

Foods rich in vitamins and proteins help support brain function and help you process and retain information better. When you eat balanced meals, your blood sugar levels remain stable, preventing sudden crashes that lead to fatigue and lack of focus.

2.      Eating well boosts memory and alertness:

Good food helps the brain stay active, making it easier to recall what you’ve studied during revision and in the exam hall. In addition, healthy meals provide sustained energy, allowing you to study for longer periods without feeling quickly exhausted.

3.      Improved mood and reduced stress:

Proper nutrition supports the production of brain chemicals that regulate emotions, helping you stay calm and mentally balanced even when exam pressure is high.

The Disadvantages of Not Eating Healthy During Exams include:

1.      Skipping meals or relying heavily on junk food can seriously affect your academic performance. Unhealthy eating often causes fake energy boost, which usually results in sudden crashes, leaving you tired, distracted, and unmotivated to study.

2.      Poor nutrition can also lead to reduced concentration and forgetfulness. When your brain lacks essential nutrients, it struggles to stay focused, making revision sessions less effective. You may read for hours but retain very little.

3.      Excessive sugary snacks and caffeinated and energy drinks can increase anxiety, restlessness, and poor sleep, all of which negatively impact exam preparation and performance.

How You Can Improve and Be Intentional About Your Feeding

No one is asking you to go all “African mum feeding” when it comes to your diet, during this period. All you need are simple and accessible options, as well as to be intentional about eating safe and healthy amidst all the exam hustles. For example:

• Try to buy and consume at least one fruit every day of the week, this period.

• Don’t only consume carbs (rice, yam etc.), include proteins like eggs, beans, fish, meat etc. into your diet.

• Consume Garri, but don’t overdo it

• Lastly, drink lots of water to stay healthy and hydrated.