Alright so green tea isn't a food, but given its many brain-healthy qualities, it definitely deserves to be on this list.

Green tea has as extremely high concentration of antioxidant catechins which encourages mental relaxation without producing any numbing effects to your ability to focus. The polyphenols found in green tea have not only been shown to prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as helping to prevent mood swings, they have also demonstrated the ability to fight brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Like blueberries, the tannins found in green tea may also help mitigate the damage of a stroke or other brain injuries. Though reasearchers say drinking large quantities of green tea may not be enough to reverse the damage caused by stroke, they are hoping to use the powerful properties of the tea to assist stroke victims in the recovery process.

As an added bonus, green tea is one of the drinks you can enjoy year-round - it's a great option to warm you up during these winter months and just as good iced in the summer (as long as you don't counteract its health benefits by loading it with a ton of sugar).

» Psychology Today