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Brain Health

Best products to support brain and cognitive function

23/04/20255 min read

Written byLiz Connor, BA (Hons) - Freelance Health Editor & Journalist

From bites with benefits to smart smoothie toppers, support your cognitive function and keep your brain in gear with our top picks of snacks and supps

Our top picks

Supports energy

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Brain Health Superfood Blend 150g

Clearance

18+

£7.00

£12.00

Jump to details below

Naturally contains caffeine

4.29

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Medium Strength Guarana 90 Tablets

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

18+

£14.49

Jump to details below

Supports weight management

4.43

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Brain Health Trail Mix "With Benefits" Miso & Ginger 210g

3 for 2 Mix & Match

£5.99

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Brain Health

Ever wondered what’s really going on upstairs? Your brilliant brain is buzzing with activity 24/7, and it’s doing a lot more than just helping you ace the pub quiz.

Your brain is the most complex organ in your body, housing billions of neurons that communicate across trillions of synapses.¹Not only does it control vital functions like breathing, movement and heart rate,² but it's also at the very core of what makes us human – shaping our learning, memories, feelings and emotions.

If you’re keen to take care of your cerebral matter (the largest part of your brain) this season, the good news is that we’re living in the golden age of so many choices of products than ever when it comes to cognitive, brain and mental performance support.

Whether you’re looking to support mental performance, brain health or cognitive function, you’ll find something for everyone in our pick of H&B’s top products.

Our top cognitive-supporting brain products and foods to try

Supports wellbeing

Vitabiotics

Vitabiotics Neuromind 30 Tablets

4.57168 reviews

Black Friday Deals

RRP £11.95

£9.56

£0.32/1 Tablet

The multivitamin

If you’re new to the world of wellness, the overwhelming array of supplements, all with complicated sounding names, can be pretty intimidating to say the least.

That’s why this product is such a great place to start. It packs in essential vitamins and minerals, including cognition supporting goodies like zinc and iron. It also contains pantothenic acid which contributes to normal mental performance.

All you need is one tablet a day with your main meal.

Source of omega-3

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Pure Cod Liver Oil 1000mg 240 Capsules

4.854342 reviews

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

£24.99

£0.10/1 Capsule

The old-school favourite with staying power

Cod liver oil is one of those rare old-fashioned ingredients that actually seems to have some science behind some of the ingredients in it. It’s a source of DHA which contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.

Just take one capsule a day with food.

Supports fatigue

New Nordic

New Nordic Clear Brain 60 Tablets

4.5153 reviews

3 for 2 Mix & Match

£26.99

£0.45/1 Tablet

One for the 3pm slump

One of the many reasons we find it hard to focus on important tasks is often because we’re too exhausted to concentrate.

That’s where these supplements come in. They’re packed with niacin and vitamins B6 and B12, all essentials for energy production,³ plus pantothenic acid to support normal mental performance.

Just take two tablets a day with a glass of water and some food, and you’re all set.

Vegan friendly

fourfive

Fourfive Energy & Focus Lion's Mane 4000mg 60 Capsules

4.47398 reviews

Save up to 1/2 Price

RRP £22.00

£14.74

£0.25/1 Capsule

Another way to try lion's mane mushroom

Support your mind and body with this blend. Each serving delivers 4,000mg of high-quality lion’s mane mushroom extract.

It’s expertly blended with bacopa monnieri, energising guarana and adaptogenic maca root, along with essential vitamins B6 and B12 – both supporting normal psychological function and energy-yielding metabolism.

Supports energy

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Brain Health Superfood Blend 150g

413 reviews

Clearance

£12.00

£7.00

£46.67/1 kg

The yoghurt topper

If you’re not a fan of swallowing tablets, powders and toppers can be a more palatable way to support your nutrient intake. Try stirring it into your Greek yoghurt, add it to your pancake mix or stir it in your coffee.

With a mix of black chokeberry, haskap berries and blueberries, this superfood powder has vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) which contributes to normal mental performance, while zinc supports cognitive function.

Helps support memory

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett High Strength Ginkgo Biloba 120mg 90 Capsules

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

£33.99

£0.38/1 Capsule

The easy bolt-on that contains flavonoids

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense brain supplement that won’t double up with your current multivitamin, you can’t go wrong with ginkgo biloba. The fan-shaped leaves of this Asian tree are linked to supporting healthy cognitive function and – just one of the reasons why it’s one of the most commonly used herbal supplements in the world.

Take one capsule daily, preferably with a meal.

Supports weight management

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Brain Health Trail Mix "With Benefits" Miso & Ginger 210g

4.43136 reviews

3 for 2 Mix & Match

£5.99

£28.52/1 kg

The desk-side snack

Snacking gets a bad rap, but it can be a smart (and tasty) way to extra add nutrients to your day. This delicious trail mix has a little bit of everything: miso flavoured almonds, crystallised ginger, edamame beans, tamari roasted sunflower and pumpkin seed clusters with sesame. All as tasty as they sound.

It’s got vitamin B5 to support normal mental performance and zinc to keep your cognitive function normal. Plus, it delivers macros.

Helps support energy

Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett Medium Strength Guarana 90 Tablets

4.2917 reviews

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

£14.49

£0.16/1 Tablet

The vitality-supporting botanical

Guarana is a plant native to the Amazon and a natural source of caffeine. Its seeds also contain plant compounds called phytochemicals, including saponins and tannins. These easy-to-swallow caplets offer a convenient way to add guarana to your routine. Thanks to its naturally occurring caffeine, guarana may help support alertness, although research into its cognitive benefits is still developing.⁴ Take as directed on the product label, ideally earlier in the day due to its caffeine content.

The final say

Shopping for new products can be confusing stuff, but getting clued up on how different ingredients work can empower you to make the best decisions for your health.

Now you’re thinking clearly, why not sip smarter too? Head over to read our favourite drinks with benefits.

Disclaimer

This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.

Sources

Ackerman S. Learning, Recalling, and Thinking [Internet]. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US); 1992. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234153/
Ackerman S. Major Structures and Functions of the Brain [Internet]. Nih.gov. National Academies Press (US); 1992. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234157/
Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and minerals for energy, fatigue and cognition: A narrative review of the biochemical and clinical evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16;12(1):228.
Hack B, Penna EM, Talik T, Chandrashekhar R, Millard-Stafford M. Effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023 Jan 14;15(2):434.