High carb breakfasts boost brainpower
Date: 7 Feb 2012
As the school year gets under way, new research is adding further weight to evidence that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for children.
Research by three British institutions has shown a strong link between low GI, higher carbohydrate breakfasts and better academic performance.
The study, which involved 60 students, found that a low GI, higher carbohydrate breakfast helped students do maths tasks more quickly and accurately, and improved attentiveness.
Chief scientific officer at the Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia and New Zealand) Dr Alan Barclay says eating breakfast is essential for students' daily nutrient intakes and energy needs.
''It provides a more constant level of blood glucose compared with the fluctuating glycemic response to a high GI breakfast, resulting in a smaller decline in concentration.''
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a measure of how effective carbohydrates - sugars and starches - are on blood glucose levels.
Low GI foods include wholegrain cereals, natural mueslis and fresh fruit and vegetables.
More at NZ Herald.
