When you work hard and play hard, there’s times when you wish you could tap in to a secret reserve tank of energy. So who wouldn’t benefit from discovering a few secret weapon foods that sharpen senses, increase learning and pick you up when you’re fading?!

Here’s the Top Five Brain Foods as determined by BrainReady. Backed by valid scientific research, these are readily available and all-natural so get munching (then get back to work!):

1. 1. Wild Salmon: one of the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (such as the all-important Omega-3), a rich source of high-quality non-land animal protein, low saturated fat, generally among the lowest amounts of contaminants (such as mercury) among seafood, and other health properties — wild salmon can help do everything from improve your brain matter, your mood, your synaptic connections, your arteries, reduce your risk of stroke and Dementia and Alzheimer’s and much more.

1. 1. Cacao Beans: This amazing, hedonistic bean is one of the world’s longest-revered foods (think ‘time of the Aztecs’ old) and has in recent years been shown to be a veritable powerhouse of cognitive enhancement, mood and bliss-enhancement (thanks in part to the Theobromine in cacao), antioxidants, flavonoids, catechins and many other brain & body-enhancing elements.

1. 1. Matcha (stone-ground Gyokuru green tea powder): Perhaps best known as the traditional, ceremonial drink tightly interwoven with the Buddhist ceremonies and tradition, Matcha’s unique effects on the brain were a perfect fit for those monks in Japan preparing to endure 12-hour straight meditation sessions: calming and focusing while stimulating at the same time, it’s no wonder that Matcha became integrated into the monks’ meditative practices (thanks in large part to the amino acid L-Theanine).

1. 1. Acai Berries & Blueberries: acai berries possess not only all of the antioxidant, vitamin and brain benefits of other purple berries such as blueberries and blackberries but also (oddly, for a berry) contain Essential Fatty Acids like Omega-3’s like salmon, and is even high in protein.

1. Coffee Beans: the coffee bean, much like the cacao bean, is incredibly rich with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Fresh-ground gently roasted coffee bean powder (again, like with cacao) has numerous brain and body health benefits…yes, including the caffeine content which has recently been shown to be GOOD for the brain, not bad, and particularly in the area of antioxidants.

For the full details on these foods click here