As soon as summer and spring descend, it’s time to whip up the seasonal beverages that will keep you cool. Iced tea and flavored iced coffee are two of the most popular beverages during this time; they give you your caffeine fix as well as a respite from the heat outside.

It’s true that your local barista or the popular coffee chain in the neighborhood will have some of the fanciest-looking flavored iced coffees in their menu, but when you break down the basics, most of these can be easily made at home. Whether you want a light vanilla-flavored iced coffee or something more dessert-like with a nice topping, you can try your hand at these delectable flavored iced coffee recipes at home:

• Vanilla-flavored iced coffee: This is one of the simplest flavored iced coffee recipes. For this, you will need a cup of ground coffee, 4 vanilla beans that are split lengthwise, a cup of milk, ¼ cup of sugar, and a few ice cubes. Mix the ground coffee with 4 cups of water. Cover it and let the coffee stand overnight or for 12 hours at room temperature. Mix the vanilla beans, sugar, and milk in a saucepan and let the mixture simmer over medium heat. Let it stand and steep for 20 minutes. Strain the coffee into a bowl through a fine-mesh sieve. Through a coffee filter, strain the coffee again into a large pitcher. Fill four tumblers with ice cubes, pour coffee till one inch of the rim, and then pour the vanilla-flavored milk.
• Chocolate-flavored iced coffee: This chocolate-flavored iced coffee has a sweetish taste to it. This recipe calls for a cup each of fat-free milk and boiling water, 4 teaspoons each of instant coffee granules, chocolate syrup, and sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a few ice cubes. Dissolve the coffee in the water in a large bowl. Add and stir well the rest of the ingredients. Serve this flavored coffee over the ice cubes. You can top it off with a couple of scoops of vanilla ice-cream.
• Thai iced coffee: Although the name has an exotic touch to it, this flavored iced coffee is quite easy to make. The ingredients required are a cup each of ground coffee and sweetened condensed milk and ¾ cup of milk. Make four cups of strong coffee by brewing the coffee in four cups of water in a coffee machine. Chill the brewed coffee in the refrigerator. Mix both the varieties of milk in a small bowl until a smooth consistency and chill the milk. While serving, pour the coffee in four tumblers filled with ice cubes and top them off with the chilled milk.

A sharp mind combined with a fit body, work wonders in the world. A sound mind that is always on its toes is not only appreciated but also prized. However, not all of us are born with record-smashing intelligence. How do we then break the barriers that we are naturally confined to?

Brain supplements stimulate mental activity resulting in more alertness, focus, motivation, concentration, better mood, memory, and an ability to process information at a faster rate than without them. They are considered vital in the fight against mental and neurological disorders like dementia, depression, anxiety, and mental decline. Brain supplements contain individual and compound nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients, each one of which fulfills specific functions of the brain. Here’s a list of top 10 brain supplements to give your brain an extra edge:

Ginkgo leaves
Ginkgo is one of the oldest existing plant on the planet as well as one of the most widely used herbs to cure a range of diseases. Research shows that it is routinely prescribed as a medicine in Europe. It protects the brain from damage by free radicals, increases blood circulation in the brain, and balances brain chemistry. It is, colloquially, a brain tonic. This is the first and probably the oldest of the top 10 brain supplements.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHA contains Omega-3 fats which are essential for continual brain performance. Omega-3 fats are difficult to receive from our regular diets since the main dietary sources of Omega-3 fats are fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring. DHA helps and enhances brain cell communication, protects from depression, ADHD, and decrease in brain volume. Omega-3 deficiency has been linked to a host of physical and mental illnesses.

Citicoline
Citicoline performs the important function of brain protection and maintaining elasticity, thereby becoming a powerful weapon in the fight against brain damage. Citicoline is an active compound found in every cell of our body. Citicoline supplements help fire up an aging, decaying system, and boost brain capabilities. It can help improve memory, productivity, and aid protection against neurological diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.

Curcumin
Curcumin is a bioactive compound that is extracted from turmeric. It occurs in abundance naturally and has profound effects on our physical and mental well-being when taken in small quantities over a period of time. It increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our blood which helps combat depression and OCD as efficiently as Prozac, without the addiction and side effects. It helps reduce inflammation in the brain that is traditionally associated with Alzheimer’s, helps combat mood swings, boosts energy, and maintains vitality. Many countries like India and Indonesia have kept this ingredient in their top 10 brain supplements since the beginning of natural sciences.

Bacopa
Bacopa is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that can be used to boost brain chemistry. It is an adaptogenic drug that can calm and energize at the same time without being stimulating or sedative. It delivers oxygen, nutrients, and glucose to the brain, increasing blood flow to the brain, and consequently maintaining optimum brain health. It was traditionally used as a tool to develop memory but it also has amazing healing properties against stress, anxiety, and depression.

American Ginseng
Ginseng, another traditional Asian herb comprising the top 10 brain supplements list, is used extensively for healing and consumption purposes. However, the American Ginseng has a higher concentration of ginsenosides which help improve memory, mental clarity, and concentration. American Ginseng is an adaptogen that has potent anxiety relieving properties.

Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane (Yamabushitake) is an edible mushroom native to Asia, North America, and Europe. Like Ginseng, it has medicinal and culinary uses that span centuries of experimentation. It is a naturally occurring Nootropic—a substance that improves memory and cognitive function to make you agile, sharp-minded, and smart. It stimulates nerve growth in the brain. Lion’s Mane is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Huperzine A
The most exotic ingredient making the top 10 brain supplements list is the Chinese Club Moss. It is a small plant native only to Asia and contains an alkaloid called Huperzine A that improves learning memory, regulates sleep cycle, promotes new brain cell generation, and regulates brain functions.

L-Theanine
L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green and black teas. It alters brain wave patterns, thus helping you to relax. It sharpens focus, makes you resilient to stress and anxiety, improves the quality of sleep, and promotes recall and learning. This gives it every reason to be included as one of the top 10 brain supplements.

Vitamins
A deficiency of Vitamins in the body is the root cause of several mental disorders. About 40% Americans are deficient in Vitamin B12, 77% in Vitamin D, and 75% in the mineral Magnesium. Appropriate intake of multivitamins can also help shield the brain from damage and degeneration and slow the process of brain aging.

Now that we have reviewed the top 10 brain supplements, we are sure that you may find one that works best for you. However, before going for any of these, you should check for with a specialist to know the right one as per your body type.