The Zoomer Report: Caffeine and Glucose

Zoomer | January 13th, 2011

Do you ever feel like you need a coffee and a sweet to get through your work? Well, it turns out there’s a reason for that. The combination of caffeine and glucose can improve the efficiency of brain activity, according to a recent study that used MRI to identify the effects of these two substances.

Participants were tested after drinking a study beverage containing either caffeine, glucose or the two combined or a placebo consisting only of water.

The researchers found that the combination of the two substances improves cognitive performance in terms of sustained attention and working memory by increasing the efficiency of the areas of the brain responsible for these two functions. This supports the idea that there’s a synergy between two substances, in which each one boosts the effect of the other.

The study, was published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Monika Adamczyk

About The Zoomer Report
Libby Znaimer, a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues, is producer and host of The Zoomer Report, a special feature on topics of interest to baby boomers and the 50+. It covers everything from health and wealth to leisure and volunteerism, from the special vantage point of the generation that has changed society in its wake.

Ms. Znaimer is also Vice-President of News and Information for Classical 96.3FM and AM740. Her first book, “In Cancerland – Living Well Is The Best Revenge” – was published in October 2007 by Key Porter.

Are you a Zoomer? Click here to find out.