Fish diet boosts brainpower: Study

London: Scientists at the University of Manchester, in collaboration with others from Europe, have suggested that eating fish boosts brainpower. The study, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, suggested that eating fish -- long considered 'brain food' -- may really be good for the old grey matter.

The new research by scientists in Europe found that higher levels of vitamin D  primarily synthesised in the skin following sun exposure but also found in certain foods such as oily fish  are associated with improved cognitive function in middle-aged and older men.

"Previous studies exploring the relationship between vitamin D and cognitive performance in adults have produced inconsistent findings but we observed a significant, independent association between a slower information processing speed and lower levels of vitamin D," said lead author Dr David Lee, in Manchesters School of Translational Medicine.

He said main strengths of the new study was that it was based on a large population sample and took into account potential interfering factors, such as depression, season and levels of physical activity.

In a comparison of the cognitive skills of over 3,000 males aged 40 to 79 years, it was found that men with higher levels of vitamin D performed consistently better in assessment of an individuals attention and speed of information processing, the Eurekalert online reported.

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