With exam season fast approaching this January, many families are using the Christmas break to help their children get ahead with last-minute prep and revision. But an eye-opening new study from Save My Exams reveals that at least half of parents underestimate the role of a healthy diet in boosting brain power and focus during this vital period, and 20% are adamant that fish fingers are the key to exam success.

In the survey of 1,003 mums, dads and GCSE students by research agency Perspectus Global, a whopping 93% of parents would consider changing what their children eat in order to help them study better.

Despite this overwhelming faith in the power of nutrition, confusion reigns over which types of food provide the best kind of mental stimulation. According to the report, 51% of parents don’t believe that broccoli gives their children brain power, while over 40% remain unconvinced by the dietary value of bananas; and 50% would give blueberries the cold shoulder as homework fuel.

In reality, as registered dietitian and nutritionist Reema Patel reveals, all three snacks are bursting with minerals and antioxidants to help drive attention levels.

“Blueberries contain flavonoids, which are a type of antioxidant that help improve cognitive function such as memory and learning,” Reema – who partnered with Save My Exams to interpret the survey results – explains. “They’re also a rich source of polyphenols, in particular resveratrol, to enhance memory.

“Broccoli, meanwhile, contains plenty of vitamin C and flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties, supporting brain health,” she continues. “And bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, which are essential in providing us with energy, and help with our attention spans.”

Unsurprisingly, 42% of students questioned by the study believe that chocolate is the best food for the brain – and 21% of parents agree. A further 11% of parents think burgers constitute a good meal for homework. However, around 80% of both parents and students are sceptical about the power of fish fingers as brain food; despite the fact that the tea-time staple is a good bet for the brain-boosting fatty acid group, omega-3.

“Fish fingers, in particular those made from 100% Alaskan pollock, are a good source of omega-3, which is known for its strong links to brain health, thinking and memory,” says Reema. “Parents and students should be wary of chocolate bars, however. Although these seem like a quick fix to boost energy levels, these can often lead to a dip in our blood sugar soon after.

“If you are tempted by the sweet stuff, aim for a few squares of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) per day – which evidence suggests may help increase blood flow to the brain, supporting alertness and memory,” she adds.

Save My Exams aims to provide high-quality, affordable revision resources for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB students, developed by a team of world-class teachers. Its new Save My Kids’ Exams kit helps parents support their kids through exam season with expert advice on diet, sleep, ideal study environments and more.

“We believe students deserve the best possible support during the exam season, and this is now more important than ever, with stress at record levels among school-age children,” says Jenna Quinn, Head of Revision Resources at Save My Exams. “Our new study shows that it’s easy for parents to misconstrue the role of diet in bolstering healthy revision habits; but a few simple changes can make a big difference, contributing to increased attention and energy levels for the most effective revision.

“It’s not just about food, though,” she continues. “Our new Save My Kids’ Exams resource is designed as a free and holistic tool to help inform parents and students alike about the many different factors that can help create a great revision environment.”

Parents can visit https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/parents/ to access the free toolkit, or join the platform Save My Exams for revision notes, mock exams and model answers.

Save My Exams develops high quality, affordable revision resources for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB students. Its resources are developed by a team of world-class teachers who have over 200 years of experience helping students get the most out of their revision. Save My Exams supports over 1.5 million students each month and is an essential companion for anyone serious about achieving exam success.

Reema Patel is a registered dietitian and member of the Health & Care Professions Council and the British Dietetic Association. She works for Dietitian Fit & Co, a team of dietitians offering 1:1 consultations for various health goals.