You may choose certain foods to clear your complexion, prevent bloating or avoid blemishes – but what if you could boost your brain power every time you fill your plate?

As we head back to the daily grind and head into autumn, it can be hard to get our brains back into working order. 

The relationship between diet and brain health has been getting a lot of attention lately as scientists have been doing major research into the matter. 

Indeed, Rebecca Katz, author of The Healthy Mind Cookbook spoke to Harper's Bazaar about the movement. 

"It used to be that scientists thought that as you grow older your brain cells die," says Ms Katz.

"Now, we're actually seeing that our brain cells can regenerate – which is largely based on how we eat and exercise."

Want to know what these foods are? Here's a look at the seven super foods for a healthy brain:

 

Mint

Mint is a great source of vitamin A, which can help boost learning skills and increase brain plasticity. It also contains vitamin C which is said to protect against cognitive decline. 

 

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds deliver generous helpings of iron in addition to a mineral trio of potassium, magnesium and calcium – these combined help in the delay of deteriorating mental health.

 

Cauliflower

This white fluffy vegetable is a great source of vitamin K which helps keep your mind sharp as you age as well as boosting your memory. 

 

Sardines

Even if eating them isn't totally appealing, your brain loves these teeny tiny fish. In fact, sardines are loaded wth vitamin B12 which has been shown to boost memory and fight off depression. They are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep your brain engaged and boost mental energy. 

 

Beetroot

Beetroot not only works wonders for your skin, it is also known as brain food in the highest order. They are high in nitrites, which increase blood flow to parts of the brain. Vitamin B9 is also stored in them, which aids cognitive functioning and delays a descent to dementia. 

 

Cashews

These nuts are a great source of two brain-boosting minerals, zinc and magnesium. Zinc is important because it can warn off depression, as well as improving memory. Magnesium has been shown to regulate sleeping patterns as well as improve learning skills. 

 

Dark chocolate

The cocoa that gives dark chocolate its addictive flavour is packed with memory-boosting antioxidant powers. In recent studies, cocoa consumption has been linked to higher scores on cognitive tests and also keeps the brain switched on as you age.