Some sweet news for improving memory

Good news older adults!

If you are doing a complicated task and want to do your best, put a spoonful of sugar in your coffee. Or eat something with sugar.

It has been long understood that the brain relies on glucose for performance, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

This new study from the University of Warwick in the UK confirms this finding and shows that older adults specifically get a boost of effort and engagement in a task after they have sugar. Researchers suggest this engagement results in improved memory, according to New Atlas.

This finding links with other studies that show doing difficult thinking tasks is essential for maintaining  as we age.

Researchers do not recommend sugar in dietary guidelines for seniors, especially those who should not have it. But, for healthy older adults, sugar can provide a short-term boost on a difficult task.

Cut the pie, Doris, I’m going to do the taxes.