How To Make a Healthy Drink That Improves Mental Focus

We’ve all felt it at some point, that lack of focus or mental clarity. Some refer to it as brain fog, which is a cluster of symptoms that impacts our thinking, memory and concentration. While there’s no magic fix, we’ve combined a few brain-boosting compounds to create what we’re calling a clarity drink.

A variety of lifestyle factors and medical conditions can contribute to brain fog, including but not limited to nutritional deficiencies, stress, overwork, lack of sleep (also sleep apnea), thyroid problems, depression and anxiety, among others.

Of course, we can’t assume that it’s one of the common culprits above. As always, consult with your physician before making any significant lifestyle changes to rule out and/or address any underlying health conditions.

If you’re doing all (or at least most of) the right stuff for your mind and body: at least seven hours of sleep, hydrating effectively, limiting refined carbs and added sugar, getting enough protein, incorporating stress-reducing behaviors into your daily routine – and you’re still not feeling the benefits, try this clarity drink. Sip it to start your day at least 30 minutes before any caffeinated coffee or tea.

What’s Inside

Creatine: An important chemical compound that occurs naturally in the body and is also present in red meat, seafood and animal milk. Creatine plays a crucial role in supplying energy to your muscles and has been shown to have numerous benefits for athletes and those looking to improve their physical performance. But beyond muscle, research shows that creatine supplementation can benefit markers of cognitive performance and brain health. This potential for creatine supplementation to improve brain health includes conditions that may be influenced by acute stressors (e.g., sleep deprivation) or chronic conditions (e.g., aging, Alzheimer’s disease, depression).
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN): NMN is an important compound that helps brain function and improves metabolism. It is a building block for NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), which is an essential molecule that helps turn food into energy and supports cell repair and healthy aging. However, as we age, NDA+ decreases, and the drop can lead to problems like brain decline, less energy production in cells, DNA damage and inflammation. Studies suggest that NMN may boost brain health and improve mental clarity. It may also slow down aging by increasing NAD+ levels in the body.
Green Tea: Drinking green tea regularly (two or more cups per day) is associated with better cognitive function, specifically regarding working memory and executive function. People who drank two or more cups of green tea per day had a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment than people.

Recipe: Clarity Drink

8 ounces green tea or matcha tea
1 scoop (500 milligrams) powdered NMN
1 scoop (5 grams) creatine monohydrate

Prepare a cup of green tea or matcha tea (can be hot or chilled, but hot is better for the NMN and creatine to fully dissolve). Drink immediately.

Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian + nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles + TV segments at www.mollykimball.com, and sign up for Eat Fit Wellness Bites weekly newsletter, here. To schedule a nutrition consult with Molly’s Lifestyle Nutrition team, email nutrition@ochsner.org