Had any "senior moments" lately? The odds are that as you
get older, you'll lose some of your short-term memory. Good
nutrition
is known to affect memory; studies have shown that eating
carbohydrates can improve recollection. A recent study in
the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated
whether eating protein and fat similarly affect cognitive
performance.
Twenty-two elderly men and women, ages 61-79, completed three
verbal memory tests following the consumption of one of four
drinks, containing either no nutrients or carbohydrates, fat,
or protein only. Each person was tested after consumption
of each of the four drinks on four separate days (one drink
per day). The verbal memory tests involved word/paragraph
recall immediately after ingestion or one hour later.
All three nutrient drinks improved delayed and immediate
memory on one test, with the most significant improvements
an hour after consumption. Only protein reduced forgetfulness
on a separate test immediately after ingestion. The no-calorie
drink had no effect on cognitive performance, adding proof
that the nutrients, not the liquid, offered the benefits.
Try to eat small, regular meals for constant energy and a
good memory. The foods you eat may provide your brain with
the boost it needs to function at its best. Also, to avoid
long-term memory problems, be sure to eat a balanced diet
and take a daily multivitamin supplement.
Reference:
Kaplan RJ, Greenwood CE, Winocur G, et al. Dietary protein,
carbohydrate, and fat enhance memory performance in the healthy
elderly. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2001:74,
pp. 687-693.
To read more studies on good nutrition, check out https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.
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