Some folks can't stand the stuff, but a spoonful of Marmite each day could significantly help with stress and anxiety, and even improve your sleep, according to a study. The Times reported that Marmite is beneficial for the nervous system.
Despite its high salt content, it's packed with B vitamins, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin, which support the nervous system and aid in energy release from food.
A University of York study found that the B vitamins in Marmite can increase levels of a neurotransmitter that calms the brain. The Journal of Psychopharmacology published results suggesting that a daily teaspoon of Marmite for a month could reduce the brain's unhealthy response to stressful visual stimuli. Marmite, rich in magnesium, may also enhance sleep quality.
In the study, participants consumed a teaspoon of Marmite every day for a month, while a control group had peanut butter. The results showed a significant reduction, around 30 per cent, in their brain's response to visual stimuli, measured by recording electrical activity using electroencephalography (EEG), reports Gloucestershire Live.
Researchers suggest this elevated prevalence of vitamin B12 through Marmite consumption could increase the levels of a certain neurotransmitter, GABA, in the brain. Acting as an inhibiter, GABA regulates the excitability of neurons by literally dialling down the intensity of neural responses ensuring a balanced level of activity is sustained for brain health.
Experts say babies' first word after 'mama' is often the same - it's not 'dada'
This study presents evidence that consuming certain foods, like Marmite, can impact these neural processes as it seems to elevate GABA levels. Imbalances in GABA have been linked with various neurological disorders.
Anika Smith, a PhD student at York's Department of Psychology and the primary author of the study, said: "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."
She added: "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."
Dr Daniel Baker, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology and senior author of the 2017 paper, stated: "The high concentration of Vitamin B12 in Marmite is likely to be the primary factor behind results showing a significant reduction in participants' responsiveness to visual stimuli."
He further explained: "Since we've found a connection between diet and specific brain processes involving GABA, this research paves the way for further studies looking into how diet could be used as a potential route to understanding this neurotransmitter."
However, he cautioned: "Although GABA is involved in various diseases we can make no therapeutic recommendations based on these results, and individuals with a medical condition should always seek treatment from their GP."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
