The sugary solution to a poor memory

The sugary solution to a poor memory
By Auslan Cramb, Scottish Correspondent
(Filed: 16/01/2006)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/16/neat116.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/01/16/ixhome.html

Sugary drinks of the kind condemned by health campaigners and dentists
can significantly boost your memory, according to researchers.

A team of psychologists found that a single sugary drink improved
memory retention in volunteers by almost 20 per cent.

Leigh Riby, of Glasgow Caledonian University, said his research showed
links between the levels of glucose in the body and the brain's ability
to make new memories and recall old ones.

"I encourage all my students to have an energy drink before lectures,
as it helps them learn more," he said.

"When young and middle-aged adults are given glucose supplements, their
memory activity increases as their brains are flooded with glucose.

"This triggers activation of the cells in the hippocampus area of the
brain. This area lights up with activity when extra glucose is taken
into the body."

The study, conducted in 25 adults aged between 18 and 52, found that
volunteers who drank flavoured water containing 25g of sugar - about
the same as a can of Coca-Cola - could remember 11 per cent more than
those without the drink. If they had twice the amount of sugar, they
showed a 17 per cent improvement.

Mr Riby is now attempting to develop techniques to help adults with
poor memory to use their natural sugar reserves more effectively.

"We want to do this as much as possible through natural diet, as there
are a number of reasons not to give people lots of sugar." he said.

David Conway, a lecturer in dental health at Glasgow University, warned
of the health risks associated with consuming large amounts of sugar.

"The best way is to ensure sugar intake is achieved at regular meal
times rather than constantly, which does not allow the teeth to
recover," he said.

.

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