The Incredible Link Between Diet and Gambling

I admit the topic may sound a bit unusual, but stay with me to learn how professional poker players utilize the best brain foods to enhance their concentration, strategic thinking, and cognitive abilities.

According to scientific research, the human brain requires approximately 0.1 calories every 60 seconds to maintain its functions. At the same time, and as expected, the brain needs even more calories when you are trying to learn something new or to decide if you should hit, stand, or double when you play blackjack online. In other words, you need to be well-nourished to enjoy high levels of cognitive performance.

Some foods are better at helping you do this. We are talking about the so-called brain foods that are known to release important happiness hormones such as dopamine and serotonin, thus allowing you feel better, improve your mood, and be more focused and prepared to take on a challenge.

Eating well is not only crucial for promoting overall health, but it also appears to play a significant role in our intellectual performance. Professional poker gamblers know this very well. However, they are having a hard time juggling between food courts and 15-minute trips to the buffets, trying to squeeze in as much food as possible during 14-hour pro sessions during tournaments that last up to five days.

As you can imagine, with a standard break for dinner that lasts no more than 15 minutes, it can be challenging for them to eat a sufficient amount of food and also select the best brain foods that can help them during the competition. Maintaining a solid and healthy diet with a variety of foods that support cognitive function and overall mood is what can separate a professional poker player from an average player.

Let's find out what are the best brain foods for gambling success and what you should eat before hitting the land or virtual casino tables.

Why You Should Eat Lots Of Oily Fish Before Strategy Games

Sardines, mackerel, salmon, and pilchards are excellent oily fish that have fantastic effects on a gambler's ability to use their brain. Since they are rich in EPA and DHA acids, they are one of the best tools to boost brain power. Salmon can also boost the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter that helps stabilize our mood. It contributes to healthy sleep, boosts our mood, and improves our behavior, potentially leading to a longer life. Since it is synthesized with the help of tryptophan, and salmon also contains plenty of it, it is easy to understand why you should include it in your meal plan more often. Additionally, salmon can help regulate your blood pressure and lower bad cholesterol.

Good Side Dishes for Oily Fish

Add some spinach on the side, and you will notice a considerable improvement in your memory, thanks to spinach being an essential source of folate and vitamin E. You can even snack on some fresh spinach during your real money casino gameplay online and feel the effects.

Baked potatoes are also a good side dish for your oily fish meals before an online poker tournament, for example, where you can expect to be spending many hours in a row tied to your computer. Baked potatoes will provide you with the substance your stomach needs to help you feel fuller for longer. Your perception should remain clearer for a more extended period, and you may incur fewer losses. The fuller you feel, the better your overall gambling will be.

Dark Chocolate For Better Focus

The more cocoa your chocolate contains, the greater the burst of energy you should feel every time you eat it as a snack in between two online casino sessions. Cocoa contains important nutrients that also have a positive effect on your concentration, along with caffeine, which is a winning combination for players who wish to remain sharp and well-focused for a longer period.

Super-Blueberries

Another top brain food considered by many to be a genuine staple of a casino player's diet, blueberries have been long researched, and results from a Tufts University study have shown that the tiny and tasty fruits are responsible for preventing the loss of our short-term memory. This is critical when playing poker, craps, baccarat or blackjack games and you need to pay attention to every card and every point you need to add.

The fact that blueberries contain large amounts of vitamin C and other essential antioxidants will also help you feel less stressed and anxious. Just two cups of blueberries a day should be sufficient to achieve the desired results when sitting behind a stressful casino table.

Don't just take our word for it, take a look at the way Jamie Gold managed to maintain his aggressive table style at the WSOP Main Event in 2006 and how he won the World Championship and capped $12 million while snacking on blueberries. For a whole week, Jamie ate his favorite mid-game snack consisting of a bowl of blueberries, which he claimed were his brain food.

Walnuts, The Grab And Play Snack

Walnuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a crucial omega-3 fatty acid, and, along with various other polyphenols, they can help prevent memory loss while lowering stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

In Conclusion

Maintaining a diet rich in brain foods is crucial for professional poker players aiming to enhance their cognitive performance during tournaments. Foods such as oily fish, dark chocolate, blueberries, and walnuts not only provide necessary nutrients but also improve mood and focus. Given the time constraints during lengthy gaming sessions, incorporating these brain foods can help players sustain their performance and ultimately gain a competitive edge. Thus, what players choose to eat can significantly influence their gameplay success and decision-making capabilities at the tables.

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