New research has found that Marmite could help to boost your brain’s health.
Researchers in York University conducted a test using Marmite and peanut butter. They got test subjects to consume a teaspoon of either Marmite or peanut butter each day for a month.
They found that Marmite had a positive impact on the brain’s function.
According to The Telegraph, due to the high concentration of Vitamin B12 in Marmite, the researchers found that those who ate the yeast-based product for the month had an increase in levels of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), which is a neurotransmitter in the brain.
This chemical helps to regulate the balance of activity in the brain which is needed to keep it healthy.
Dr Daniel Baker, the senior author of the paper, said: “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.”
Anika Smith, the first author, said:
“These results suggest 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.”
