Does chewing gum help your memory? Well.......
December 2nd 2010 21:18
Signature Tune
WALKING not only helps beat blubber but it also boosts your brain, a study showed this week.
But what else helps keep your grey matter in great shape?
Here's how to keep your noggin fighting fit, whatever your age.
CHEW GUM: Researchers from the Northumbria University found chewing gum improved memory performance by about 25 per cent.
The action seems to improve your heart rate, which boosts blood flow and thus oxygen levels in the brain.
EASE OFF THE BOOZE: Just a few sessions of heavy drinking can damage the memory and general intelligence, say experts.
Cheers ... under-25s should be careful of heavy-drinking
Alamy Under-25s are particularly at risk because the brain continues to grow and develop to this age.
OVERHAUL YOUR DIET: The British Dietetic Association's Helen Bond says: "You need to eat a diet rich in omega 3 oils, found in fresh oily fish (herring, mackerel, tuna) or seeds such as linseed, as this fat has been shown to help improve memory.
"Eating plenty of fruit and veg and staying hydrated will also give your brain the best chance to work well."
AVOID "BABY-BRAIN": Many women swear their memories and attention spans plummet during pregnancy but research suggests this can be avoided by staying positive.
Game for a laugh ... visiting pals may reduce risk of the dementia
Alamy "Happy mums-to-be do not feel they have memory issues, which indicates any memory difficulties might be an effect of feeling anxious about the event," says University of Edinburgh neuroscientist Professor Della Sala.
QUIT SMOKING: A study by researchers from University College London, published in American Journal of Public Health, shows that anyone over 40 who smokes more than 20 a day suffers more memory problems than non-smokers.
The study suggests those who quit before 50 showed less memory decline. The earlier you quit, the better it is for your memory.
TAKE A BREATH: Long-term stress is bad for brain cells, suggests research, and can harm learning and memory. Try breathing exercises and meditation to help defuse any angst.
TAKE IT IN YOUR STRIDE: Research published this week suggests walking six miles a week may help protect brains from Alzheimer's disease.
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This study suggests five or six miles a week might help keep our brains healthy - protecting them from shrinking and memory loss.
"There is no sure way to prevent Alzheimer's, but the best evidence is that we can reduce our risk by keeping fit and healthy as we age."
GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP: US researchers found that mild sleep loss (six hours instead of eight) made people perform as badly in memory tests as those totally sleep deprived for two whole nights.
Try cutting down on caffeine. Drink camomile tea and milky drinks before bedtime.
TRY A VARIETY OF BRAIN TRAINING GAMES: Researchers from the German Institute For Quality And Efficiency In Health Care showed brain training products do improve certain functions, but only the ones they are aimed at.
For instance, a crossword may improve your ability to do crosswords but it won't boost your memory.
But trying a number of different options should help keep all areas of your brain busy.
WATCH YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE: Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level - below 140/90mmHg - may help reduce your risk of dementia.
High levels can increase the risk of damage to the brain which can then trigger confusion and memory loss.
MEET YOUR PALS: Make sure to catch up with friends and family over the festive season, as it may help your brain cells.
Research from Columbia University in America suggests regularly visiting pals and loved ones may reduce risk of the dementia by up to 38 per cent.
EAT BROCCOLI: A team from the University of Oxford have studied 168 volunteers aged over 70 with mild memory problems for a period of years.
Their research showed that after two years of taking a combination B vitamin pill (B6, B12 and folic acid), their brains hadn't shrunk as much as those who hadn't taken the vitamins.
Vitamin B is found in a wide range of foods - broccoli, milk, and fortified breakfast cereals.
| 74 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
