Fat chance of remembering

(Inside Aotea, July 2009)

Eating less could mean a better memory, say German researchers who tested 50 overweight people.

One third were asked to eat 30 per cent fewer calories than usual for three months. Those who dieted scored 20 per cent better on a memory test than before their diet. Those who did not diet showed no change.

Lower levels of glucose and insulin in their blood were thought to be the cause of their improved brain function.