Coffee and Donuts May Boost Your Brain's Efficiency

by Alex A. Kecskes

Turns out, that donut and morning cup of java is what you needed after all to start the day. Whether you're a police officer or office manager, the combination of caffeine and glucose may boost brain efficiency.

A recent study led by researchers from the Universidad de Barcelona employed functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the neural substrate for the combined effects of java and junk sweets. The study revealed that the combination of the two substances improves cognitive performance, specifically prolonged attention and memory by making the brain more efficient. Researchers also found that the two substances worked synergistically, each strengthening the effect of the other.

People who drank coffee with sweets showed reduced activity in the two regions of the brain that participate in attention and memory processing. The reduced activity combined with no drop in behavioral performance suggests that the brain works more efficiently when two substances are consumed together.

The UB research team employed functional MRI to analyze brain activity and evaluate sustained attention and working memory, which the brain uses in everyday cognitive tasks. In the double-blind randomized study, 40 healthy volunteers were tested after drinking either caffeine, glucose or the two combined or a placebo consisting only of water.

An earlier study by the same research team revealed improvements in attention span and declarative memory. Researchers concluded that a combination of caffeine and glucose may improve attention and learning.

This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Too much caffeine and sweets can negatively affect your overall health. For a counter perspective, check out this video:

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