Recent research found that the food can enhance alertness
A new scientific study has revealed that consuming or even just smelling a specific type of food can enhance alertness, potentially making you feel less fatigued and more awake. This could be beneficial for many this weekend. On Sunday (October 26), the clocks will revert back an hour at 2am, signalling the conclusion of British Summer Time.
At 2am, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), all digital clocks will revert to 1am, providing Brits with an additional hour in bed. However, all analogue clocks, including those on ovens and traditional timepieces, will require manual adjustment. This time adjustment, which originated during World War I, aims to conserve energy by optimising the use of daylight hours.
The phrase “spring forward, fall back” reminds us to adjust the clocks with each season. While many will relish the extra hour of sleep, others may find themselves feeling more fatigued and sluggish as their bodies may not be ready for the transition.
A significant number of people might experience tiredness after the clocks are set back, as their internal body clocks, known as circadian rhythms, are still adapting to the change. Even though you gain an extra hour of sleep, the disruption to your routine can lead to feelings of sluggishness, grogginess, and fatigue for several days until your body acclimates.
To avoid feeling tired in the days that follow, people can follow certain strategies. These include establishing a calming pre-sleep routine to signal to their body that it’s time to rest and maximising exposure to natural light during the day to help regulate their circadian rhythm.
What sweet helps you feel more alert?
For those eager to achieve relatively quick results, there’s an alternative option that involves grabbing a packet of sweets. A recent study indicates that consuming or inhaling peppermint can boost alertness, particularly for people feeling unwell with a cold or experiencing mental fatigue.
Peppermint can be enjoyed in various forms, whether it’s in a packet of sweets, a cup of tea, desserts, or sprinkled over salads. Most supermarkets and health stores stock it. For example, Tesco offers an 80p packet of Trebor Extra Strong Peppermint Mints, containing about 17 sweets per roll, which equates to roughly 5p per sweet.
Keep in mind, though, that many classic peppermint sweets are loaded with sugar. Some producers provide sugar-free options for anyone keen to watch their sugar intake. A completely sugar-free option is peppermint tea bags, so long as you don’t add sugar to the drink. Or, simply chew on peppermint leaves.
Studies show that peppermint may boost psychomotor speed and reaction times, while its aroma could also enhance memory and concentration. These results emerged from a group of researchers at Cardiff University who set out to investigate whether eating peppermints could elevate individuals’ mood and alertness, particularly during illness.
What did the study discover?
Over ten weeks, the team observed 81 students, of whom 17 developed a cold. Six of the unwell students were given peppermints, another six received butterscotch, and five were not given any treatment.
Simultaneously, those who remained healthy and did not catch a cold were also provided with peppermint. Among these, 21 did not receive any sweets, and an additional 22 were given a placebo, which is a non-active treatment. Both groups, healthy and unhealthy, participated in tests to evaluate their mood, performance, and reaction times.
The results indicated that having a cold significantly hindered the participants’ performance. Their eye movements and reaction times were noticeably slower, and they reported feeling less alert.
The research also showed that peppermint improved people’s alertness, regardless of their health status. However, even with the heightened alertness, the findings did not indicate that it truly improved their job performance.
Leader of the research team, Dr Andy Smith, said having a cold can negatively affect a person’s performance and reduce their level of alertness. He added: “Vapours are known to have therapeutic benefits – and aromatics, such as mint, have been shown in previous research to have an impact on our wellbeing when ill and in perfect health.
“We thought it was plausible that peppermints might help… These results show that, with the right understanding, simple things can be done to improve our wellbeing when unwell – and that includes eating a peppermint to help with a cold.”
What else is peppermint good for?
Peppermint helps alleviate digestive issues like bloating, indigestion, and stomach cramps. It can also aid in relieving nausea and headaches. It may also help clear congested airways, freshen breath, and potentially improve focus and cognitive functions. Peppermint has antimicrobial properties and can be used for household tasks such as cleaning and deterring rodents.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
