Energy drinks could help enhance memory and attention. Image © Shutterstock’
Glucose is very important for healthy brain function as it modulates mental alertness and cognition. However, glucose cannot be easily stored and the brain requires a constant supply of glucose for fuel. Previous work has shown that consuming a glucose drink can enhance mental alertness, however the precise cognitive abilities that are susceptible to glucose remain unclear.
To investigate this further, Louise Brown and Leigh Riby from Nottingham Trent University and Northumbria University, UK, have examined the effects of glucose on episodic memory and attention processes. 35 participants performed an old/new recognition memory task and a Stroop colour naming task. The results showed that glucose enhances the neuro-cognitive processes related to verbal episodic memory and recollection, which was consistent with earlier work. However, there was also some evidence of enhanced attention during the task under difficult conditions. Therefore, the results suggest that glucose drinks may facilitate attention as well as memory.
To find out more, read the article in full by clicking the link below:
Glucose enhancement of event-related potentials associated with episodic memory and attention, Louise A. Brown and Leigh M. Riby, Food Funct., 2013, DOI: 10.1039/C3FO30243A
