There are a number of factors that can influence our mental state and brain power. Some of this can be linked to our circumstances and how stressed or tired we are feeling.
However, our diet also plays a huge role in how alert we might be feeling.
According to one study, a specific spread found in many kitchens has the potential to improve your brain health.
While some people hate it, Marmite could actually help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep.
This is due to the high levels of B vitamins found in Marmite including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and cobalamin.
These vitamins support the nervous system and help the body to release energy from food.
In the study, by psychologists at the University of York, Marmite was found to increase levels of a brain-calming neurotransmitter, known as GABA.
The findings, which were published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, suggested that one daily teaspoon of Marmite for a month was enough to reduce the brain’s unhealthy response to stressful visual stimuli.
As part of the study, participants ate a teaspoon of Marmite every day for a month, while a control group consumed peanut butter.
As a result they experienced a substantial reduction of around 30 percent in their brain’s response to visual stimuli, measured by recording electrical activity using electroencephalography (EEG).
Researchers said this may be due to the prevalence of vitamin B12 in Marmite increasing levels of GABA in the brain.
GABA inhibits the excitability of neurons in the brain, with the chemical acting to “turn down the volume” of neural responses in order to regulate the delicate balance of activity needed to maintain a healthy brain.
As Marmite consumption appears to increase GABA levels, this study is the first to show that dietary intervention may affect these neural processes. GABA imbalances are also associated with a variety of neurological disorders.
Anika Smith, PhD student in York’s department of psychology and first author of the study, explained: “These results suggest that dietary choices can affect the cortical processes of excitation and inhibition – consistent with increased levels of GABA – that are vital in maintaining a healthy brain.
“As the effects of Marmite consumption took around eight weeks to wear off after participants stopped the study, this suggests that dietary changes could potentially have long-term effects on brain function.
“This is a really promising first example of how dietary interventions can alter cortical processes and a great starting point for exploring whether a more refined version of this technique could have some medical or therapeutic applications in the future.
“Of course, further research is needed to confirm and investigate this, but the study is an excellent basis for this.”
Marmite is also rich in magnesium and may improve sleep quality.
Commenting on the paper, which was published in 2017, Dr Laura Phipps of Alzheimer’s Research UK said it wasn’t clear if Marmite could help boost memory and lower the risk for dementia.
She said: “Marmite contains high levels of vitamin B12, and while deficiency in this vitamin can cause memory problems, this study does not tell us whether Marmite could be beneficial for our memory or affect the onset of dementia.
“The interesting outcome of this study of young people is the suggestion that particular foods may influence brain activity but we don’t know if or how this could translate into long-term benefits against particular brain diseases.
“While a healthy, balanced diet has been linked to a healthy brain as we age, no one particular food or supplement has been shown to be most effective at reducing dementia risk.”
She advised: “As well as a balanced diet, there are lifestyle changes we can all make to reduce our risk of developing dementia.
“Keeping physically and mentally active, eating a healthy balanced diet, not smoking, drinking in moderation, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure under control and your weight in check are all ways to support healthy brain ageing.”