Many juices contain nootropics, which can boost your brain health. Examples include blueberries and green tea, which can improve memory and brain function. While more evidence might be needed for some, drinking any of these beverages can offer health benefits.
Many people look for simple ways to boost their focus, memory, and productivity. That’s why nootropics, or “smart drugs,” are growing rapidly in popularity.
Nootropics are a class of natural or synthetic compounds that may improve your brain function. While hundreds of nootropic supplements are available, several beverages contain natural nootropic compounds.
What’s more, other drinks boast ingredients, such as antioxidants or probiotics, that may support brain function.
Here are 15 juices and drinks that may boost your brain health.
Coffee is probably the most widely consumed nootropic beverage. Most of its brain benefits come from caffeine, although it contains other compounds like the antioxidant chlorogenic acid that may affect your brain as well.
One review noted that caffeine may improve reaction time. In a study on driving performance, out of 100 participants, 50 were given 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. The participants then used a driving simulator to check their driving performance. The caffeine group was found to have more appropriate responses, made fewer errors, and had a quicker brake response time compared to the other group.
The review also found that drinking at least 3 cups of coffee a day is associated with a slower decline of verbal memory (the ability to learn and remember verbal information). Coffee may also protect against neurological conditions.
In addition, a 2024 study found that caffeine could help lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease or delay its development.
Green tea’s caffeine content is much lower than that of coffee. Yet, it also boasts two promising nootropic compounds — L-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Studies suggest that L-theanine may increase alpha waves in the brain that are associated with relaxation, reduced stress and anxiety, and improved sleep quality. When L-theanine is combined with caffeine, it may improve attention and cognitive performance.
A small 2021 study found that L-theanine could help improve attention, which boosted working memory and executive functioning.
Catechins are dietary compounds found in green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a type of catechin that has been shown to have several health benefits. For example, EGCG can enter your brain through the blood-brain barrier, meaning it could exert beneficial effects on your brain or even combat neurodegenerative diseases. But more research is necessary.
Kombucha is a fermented drink usually made from green or black tea, plus fruit or botanicals. Its major benefit is it introduces beneficial bacteria called probiotics to the gut.
Theoretically, improved gut health may boost
Probiotics are generally linked to improved mental health. However, little research supports drinking kombucha specifically to bolster brain function.
You can make your own or buy bottled brands of kombucha.
Orange juice is rich in vitamin C, with a 3/4 cup (93 mg) providing
One study found that vitamin C intake was linked to better attention, focus, and work performance.
However, the downsides of sugary orange juice may outweigh its benefits. The juice is much higher in calories than the whole fruit, and a high added sugar intake is
A better way to obtain this vitamin is simply to eat an orange. The whole fruit is lower in calories and sugar, as well as higher in fiber, than orange juice, while still providing
Blueberries are rich in polyphenol plant compounds that may provide brain-boosting benefits. Anthocyanins — antioxidants that give these berries their blueish-purple hue — may be
Likewise, blueberry juice is loaded with these compounds.
Still, one review of high quality studies in nearly 400 people found mixed results. The strongest positive effect involved better
Eating whole blueberries is a healthier, low sugar option that may provide similar benefits.
Green juice combines green fruits and veggies, such as:
- dark leafy greens like kale or spinach
- cucumber
- green apples
- fresh herbs, such as lemongrass
Green smoothies may also contain ingredients like avocado, yogurt, protein powder, or bananas to add creaminess and nutrients.
While the brain-boosting potential of green juices or smoothies depends heavily on the ingredients, these drinks are often rich in vitamin C and other helpful antioxidants.
Otherwise, try one of the recipes below.
Simple green juice recipe
Makes 3 to 4 servings
Ingredients
Steps
- Wash all produce thoroughly, then cut it into small enough pieces for your juicer to manage.
- Run each ingredient through the juicer and capture the juice in a large jar or pitcher.
- Mix well and keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Simple green smoothie recipe
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
Steps
- Wash the kale thoroughly.
- In a blender, combine all ingredients. If the smoothie is too thick, try adding more milk. If it’s too thin, add more banana or avocado.
Sometimes called golden milk, turmeric lattes are warm, creamy drinks featuring the bright yellow spice turmeric.
Turmeric contains the antioxidant curcumin, which may increase your body’s production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A
Low BDNF is associated with mental deficits and
Otherwise, consider making your own at home.
Turmeric latte recipe
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (dairy or fortified plant-based)
- 1.5 tsp ground turmeric
- optional sweeteners like honey or stevia
- optional toppings like ground cinnamon or black pepper
Steps
- Over low heat, slowly warm the milk until hot.
- Whisk in turmeric and remove from the heat.
- Pour the lattes into mugs and add sweeteners or toppings, if desired.
Like turmeric lattes, adaptogen lattes are warm, savory drinks packed with unique ingredients. Adaptogens are foods and herbs that may help your body adapt to stress, thus improving brain function and decreasing fatigue.
Many adaptogen lattes are made with dried mushrooms, ashwagandha, or maca root.
Because these drinks contain ingredients that may be difficult to source, such as dried mushrooms, it’s easiest to buy a premade mix.
Beets are a deep red root vegetable that’s naturally rich in nitrates — a precursor to nitric oxide, which your body uses to promote cell oxygenation and improve blood flow.
Many people drink beetroot juice before their workouts for its blood-flow-boosting qualities. This could help with brain health and the prevention of neurological diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research is needed.
Still, nitric oxide signaling may play roles in the areas of your brain responsible for language, learning, and memory. Beetroot juice may boost these effects by increasing nitric oxide production.
You can drink this juice by mixing powdered beetroot into water or taking a dose of concentrated beetroot juice. Typically, the dose for concentrated beetroot drinks is only 1 to 2 tablespoons per day.
Shop for HumanN Super Beets beetroot powder or Dynamic Health concentrated beetroot juice online.
This herb may support memory, among other mental benefits.
A review of studies found that this plant may ease symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive decline.
This popular nootropic herb may
Some evidence supports using ginseng for neuroprotective properties and to promote brain function.
This plant may help reduce symptoms of fatigue and depression, as well as reduce stress. It could also improve brain function, memory, and productivity.
Certain herbal teas, including the previously listed herbs, may provide a brain boost. However, all of these herbs offer much smaller doses of active ingredients than the supplements or extracts used in scientific studies.
Like kombucha, kefir is a fermented beverage packed with probiotics. However, it’s made from fermented milk rather than tea.
It may aid brain function by promoting the
You can make kefir yourself, but it may be easier to purchase a ready-to-drink option. Alternatively, choose drinkable yogurt, which also boasts probiotics.
Shop for Lifeway kefir online.
Drinking nootropic beverages may seem like an easy way to support brain health.
However, although some of these drinks may help boost brain function, high quality evidence is lacking to support drinking any of these beverages to improve focus, performance, or memory.
Regardless, these drinks offer other health benefits and it may be worth trying them to see whether they work for you.