Abstract:

Beneficial improvements in cognitive performance are related to the influence of food

and drink choice. Brain performance can be improved by consuming the right food

and prevent the brain from becoming dehydrated. The purpose of the present study

was to evaluate the mental performance of Heriot-Watt students in order to improve

their mental ability, which would reflect beneficially on the university by increasing

students productivity. We evaluated mental ability of the students according to their

food intake and nutritional habits. It demonstrates the importance of some food on

enhancing cognitive performance. Result suggests that 89% of the participant their

brain is working efficiently. More than 60 % of the participants were drunk less than 4

cups of water every day, which is critically low amount; it could impair their brain

performance as result of dehydration. 75% of the participants confirmed that there is

insufficient in drinkable water particularly free sources. This suggests that

encouraging students to eat the food that has beneficial effect on cognitive

performance and finding programs to evaluate mental ability of the students in order

to improve it.

Key Words: Cognitive performance, memory, concentration, brain drain and water.

Acknowledgment: Many thanks for tutors, who guided me to write this project and

the participants from the university students.

 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

List of content:
1. Introduction.

2. Literature review.

3. Methodology.

3.1. Subject and participants.

3.2. Questionnaire development.

3.3. Field survey

4. Result

5. Discussion and conclusion.

6. Appendix

7. References

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

1. Introduction:

Scientific examination proves that the relationship between the brain performance and

some types of food. There are clear discussions of brain physiology and food that can

enhance cognitive performance, improve the mood and sharpen the memory (Potter

and Orfali, 1993). Students are a group of people who need specific nutrition which

feeds their brain to improve concentration, attention and performance; therefore, it is

important to understand their nutritional habits which could help to evaluate and

improve their mental ability.

Several studies confirmed that some food may have beneficial effects on mental

performance; one of these study argued that the glucose is the primary source of

energy for the brain (Bruin and Gilsenan, 2008). Research has been carried out by

Colombani, Langhans and Wenk (2002) that showed the effect of carbohydrate on

cognitive performance of 15 healthy male students; a tremendous improvement in

memory has been noticed after 4th meal rich in carbohydrate.

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However, the brain is a first part of the body may affected by the diet; a poor diet may

lead to mental disorder such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study is to

evaluate the brain performance of Heriot-Watt students according to their nutritional

habits; and investigate whether or not the university provides food supplement and

nutritional consultation, that could help the students to improve their mental

performance.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

The second part of this research gives a brief review of literature and proves the

importance of food on cognitive performance, the third part is method and sample,

which explains procedure of collecting data and some information about the

participants, the fourth part will present the result, which shows a significant finding

by using graphs to facilitate that to the reader. Finally the discussion and the

conclusion will be drawn in fifth part.

2. Literature review:

This study investigates the beneficial effect of some types of food on cognitive

performance. The current section will focus on relevant research conducted in this

field. The students differ from each other in many aspects. One of the main aspects is

mental ability. Some students have a sharp memory, strong concentration and clear

mood which help them to achieve successful progressing particularly in the studying.

The brain performance can be improved by improving the diet. The brain is the first

part of the body, which could be affected by eating a poor diet. Several researches

will be discussed in this section, which proved that nutrients have a strong influence

in improving the mental performance and intelligence. Heriot-Watt University has

approximately 17000 registered students and one question that needs to be asked is

how many of them have a smart brain. The university can exploit the optimal

performance of these brains by providing and suggesting some food that can boost the

student brain. The mental performance can be evaluated in terms of food intake and

nutritional habits.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

With regards to the effect of food on mental performance; some food can enhance the

memory, which could improve the cognitive performance of student brain. A recent

study carried out by Hoyland et al., (2007) suggests that visuo-spatial memory could

be affected by macronutrient manipulation. The study suggests that the significant

enhancement of the memory is related to changes in blood glucose. The authors

highlight that the glucose is a primary source of the brain energy and insufficient

supply of glucose could cause a significant loss in mental function. Glucose can be

found in food and evaluating food that is consumed by the students could help the

university to enhance their mental performance. However, the authors focused on

memory in the experiment to show the importance of glucose in improving the

cognitive performance and neglected other important aspects such as concentration

and attention.

A Previous study by Lieberman (2002) showed importance of some food in enhancing

the cognitive performance. It mentioned that food, which contains carbohydrate can

enhance the cognitive performance and vigilance. The author describes the effect of

energy drink on improving the mood. Carbohydrate can be obtained from the fruits

and vegetables. Banana is one of the best carbohydrate sources which provide a slow

release of energy to the brain. Recent evidence suggests that a banana has a great

influence in increasing brain performance. Bulstrode(2008) mentioned that a study

has been carried out on a group of student in Thomas Clarkson College, which the

college gave the students banana before the exam. The result showed that the student

did very well in the first half hour. After that the performance of the students dropped

significantly.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

The percentage of the water in the blood accounts for 83%. The water acts in the body

as transporter, which is responsible to complete the operation of delivering nutrients

to the brain and eliminating toxins from the body. Proper hydration leads to optimal

cognitive performance. Drinking at least 2000 ml of water can keeps the body in

proper functioning. (Suhr et al., 2004). The author mentioned that dehydration of 2-

3% of body weight could impair the brain performance particularly concentration and

psychomotor processing speed. If the university provided plenty of drinkable water

sources to the students, they would be fully hydrated in which the university can

assure that the student performance is probably strong.

A study by Trevor (2001) discovered that schoolchildren with best results in class are

those who drank eight glasses of water per day. Dehydration has an impact on the

brain which affects its working substantially below its capacity. Schweiger (2002)

points out that improving the availability of water in schools had a potential huge

difference to pupils' health and performance. It is important that the University

improves the water availability on campus to avoid dehydration, which may affect the

student performance.

Much of earlier study emphasized that mental performance is affected by the type of

food. A recent Swedish study suggested that fish diet boosts intelligence scores. Toren

(2009) found that there is a clear link between frequent fish consumption and higher

scores when the teenagers ate fish at least once a week.

A recent study carried out by Hoyland et al. (2009) confirmed the importance of

breakfast for students in improving mental performance. The authors concluded that

6
 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

the breakfast consumption has totally positive effect on cognitive performance

compared with breakfast omission. Moreover, eating a breakfast is linked to increase

attendance and reduce absenteeism. However, the authors do not focus on measuring

memory and attention, which are main part in evaluation cognitive performance.

It can be concluded that food has a strong influence in improving mental performance

of students. Glucose is a primary source of brain energy. The body should be fully

hydrated to avoid brain impairment. Carbohydrate has a marked improvement in brain

performance and students should eat a diet rich in carbohydrate. A breakfast is

recommended as a part of healthy diet, which enhances mental performance of

students. In order to improve student mental ability, the university should ensure and

evaluate their food intake.

3. Methodology:

3.1. Subject and participants

Forty six students were participated in this research from Heriot-Watt University,

located in Edinburgh. Thirty-six students filled out the questionnaire and ten students

were interviewed face to face. The subject was approved by English language

institute. The participants were 28 female and 18 male; with ages between 18 to 30

years. 10 students are smoker and 16 alcohol consumer. The data used in this research

has been collected through three-different methods from a questionnaire, face to face

interview and field survey. We used three different methods to collect data because

the questionnaire was closed questions to know specific information, whereas the

interview made to give students a chance to speak, which we used open question in

7
 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

the interview. The knowledge used in this research was acquired through different

sources, such as books from Heriot-Watt library, online-journals through using the

university network. We were helped by the university librarians to find information

about the topic and they guide us for a correct procedure to design and analyze data.

3.2. Questionnaire development

The two page questionnaire was developed by using a similar idea from Potter and

Orfali (1993). The first part of the questionnaire concerns general information

(gender, smoking and alcohol consumption). The second part included psychological

and health information (memory weakness, concentration, mood disorder, depression

and mental performance). The third part contains information about the nutritional

habits of the students, types of food found on campus and the students satisfaction.

Closed question types were used in this questionnaire because it is easy to the

participant to fill the questionnaire. The result of the questionnaire will be analysed

according to Potter and Orfali (1993). Students got score between 12-15 that means

their brain is running on empty. Better to consult the doctor. They need refuel their

brain with food. Vitamins and drugs that make them smarter. The students got score

between 9-12 that means there brain drain is a danger. They should correct their diet

by eating vitamins and brain food. The students got score between 5-9 that means

their brain is functioning okay. By eating and drinking smarter their brain can

function at optimal levels.

The participants were understood most of the question answers. The purpose of

questionnaire was explained to the participants, which is written on top of the first

page. The questionnaires are collected on 18th of March 2010.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

3.3 Interview:

We interviewed 10 students from Heriot-Watt University. We used open question in

the interview in order to get extra information about their nutritional habits. The

questions were about whether or not those students consume a breakfast every day

and to know the reason if those student do not eat breakfast. Other question to know

the type of breakfast whether or not riches in carbohydrate. We asked the participant a

question, if they suggest any changes which could improve their diet.

2.3. Field Survey

We do search on campus to find any information that relates to type of food that has

beneficial effect on cognitive performance such or diet recommendations as well as

evaluating the drinkable water availability, particularly free sources. The search was

on main library, student union, university restaurants and some colleges. The food

was inspected particularly those provided by restaurants.

2.3. Statistical analyses

The data were analyzed by using computer programs. First part of the questionnaire

was analyzed according to Potter and Orfali, 1993.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

3. Result:

The percentage of female participants is more than male, which indicates that the

female are more interested in this topic.

Figure:
Figure11: Shows classification of the participants according to their gender

39%

Male
Female
61%

Figure:Fig2 2: Shows personal information about the participants

40
35
30
25 Male
20 Female
15 Total
10
5
0
No. of Students Smoking Non-Smoking Drink Alchohol Non- Drinking
according Alchohol
gender

10
 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

11% 0%
Figure 3: 3
Figure:
shows the
percentage of
students have
brain working Number of Sts have
efficiently brain working
effeciently
compared with
those who their Number of Sts their
brain in danger brain in danger

Number of Sts their

brain are working on
89% empty

The data were analysed according to Potter and Orfali, 1993. It shows that a majority

of students, who their brain working efficiently accounts 89%. The rest of students

were needed nutritional consult which could improve their mental performance.

Figure: 4

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40% Strong
30% Weak
20%
10%
0%
Memory Concentration Learn new thing Performance

Figure 4: Shows the mental performance of the participants in terms of memory,

concentration, learning a new thing and general performance.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

The availability of drinkable water particularly free sources is largely insufficient and

tends to be rare. The result found large percent of students are drink less than 4 cups

the percentage accounts for 61%, which is probably high percent and it could impair

their cognitive performance.

Fig 5: shows the opinion of students about drinkable water availability on campus
80% Figure: 5
70%
60% The availability of drinkable
50% water in the University

40%
The Numebr of cups are
30% drinked by the students
20% every day
10%
0%
Sufficient Insufficient Less than 4 More than
4

Figure 5: Shows the availability of drinkable water free sources such as water cooling

devices and it gives the percentage of water consumption every day by the students.

The study found a majority of students were unsatisfied from the food that is provided

by the restaurants and shops on the campus.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

Figure: 6 Figure 6: Shows the percentage of coffee consumption and the students

90%
80%
70%
60%
50% Yes
40% No
30%
20%
10%
0%
Students are drink coffee daily Students are satisfied with food on
campus

A majority of students were unsatisfied with food on campus which could be a reason

to reluctant some students from eating the main diet such as the breakfast and the

lunch.

A majority of the students are prefer to eat a bar of chocolate in snack meal instead of

fruit or other healthy meal. The questionnaire was revealed the percentage of the

students who prefer to eat chocolate in a snack meal.

Figure: 7 22%

Chocolate
Fruits
14% None
64%

Figure 7: Describes the percentage of preferable snack to the students.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

A high percentage of the participants who mentioned, that they never seen any

recommendation or announcements about the right food that could help them to

improve the brain performance on the campus.

Figure 8: Shows the percentage of the participants who have not seen

90%

80%

70%

60%

50% Yes
40% No

30%

20%

10%

0%
Have you seen a recommendation Do you know the importance of
about your diet on the campus? Omega 3 to your brain?

Figure9: shows Students whoofeat

percentage break fast
student whoevery day
eat breakfast every day

30%
Yes
50% No
Some times

20%

According to the interview with students, the result revealed that some students do not

know importance of breakfast in improving cognitive performance.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

4. Discussion and Conclusion:

The finding suggests that the majority of the students according to Potter and Orfali,

1993 test that the brain performance of the students is functionally excellent. There

are approximately 11% of the participants, who their brain in danger. It is true that the

percent is slightly low but the university can advise those students to change their

nutritional habits. The purpose of this research was to know whether or not the brain

of the students is working efficiently according to their diet. We evaluated the source

of drinkable water on campus. The result suggests that approximately 75% of the

students confirmed there is insufficient in water availability. Critically, the university

should find drinkable water sources particularly in places that are far from the market

and restaurants; for example, library, otherwise the student could be dehydrated which

has an impact on their mental ability. Although the students generally preferred to eat

chocolate for snack meal instead of fruits or salad, which indicates that many of those

students are needed nutritional consultation about right food that could help them to

enhance the brain performance. It is true that the university has other big concerns

than students but it can exploits the society on campus and volunteer student to work

on advising the students about the right food through varied facilities such as Email,

notice board and leaflet. The lake of time was the main obstruction to the researcher, a

plenty of time could help the researchers to collect more sample as well as searching a

new finding. If the researchers provided by facilities such as computer software for

analyzing, the data would be presented more specifically. The students who

interviewed are tending to escape from a breakfast meal. According to Hoyland et al.

(2009) confirmed the importance of breakfast meal which has a significant effect on

cognitive performance. By investigating reasons that cause reluctant of some students

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

from eating breakfast that the price of the meal. Some of those students suggest that if

the university provides at least breakfast meal by introducing offer and special price

to encourage students to eat this meal as well as providing a meal rich in carbohydrate

and some nutrient that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance.

It can be concluded that the continuous evaluation to the mental performance of the

students and their diet is important to avoid mental impairment. Finding sufficient

drinkable water sources could help the students avoid dehydration. Advising the

student to the right food could improve their mental ability. The research suggests that

it would be better, if the university develops this study by carrying out some research

in the same subject by specialist researcher and try to find programs, which can

evaluate the student mental ability in order to improve the general performance of the

university.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

Appendix:

1- Questionnaire :

Evaluate your brain performance.

The result will be given immediately
This questionnaire designed to help the researcher to find solution to improve the
quality of food that is provided by the shops in the university in order to improve the
brain performance of students in Heriot-Watt University.

1- Put (  ) mark in front of the right choice please:

•  Male Female
•  Smoking None
•  Drink Alcohol None

2- For each of the following statements check (T) in the box if the statement is
true or (F) if it is false.
T F
  1- My memory is not as good as it used to be.
  2- It is harder to do calculations in my head than it used to be.
  3- It is harder to concentrate than it used to be.
  4- I often feel fuzzy headed.
  5- I can't handle stress as well as I use to.
  6- I get depressed more often than I use to.
  7- I end the day feeling exhausted more often than I use to.
  8- I often have a ringing sound in my ear(s).
  9- I often drink so much coffee that I feel nervous and irritable.
  10- It is harder to learn new things than it used to be.
  11- I some times get lost while driving a familiar route.
  12- I often tell the same stories over the same people during short period.
 13- I sometimes get confused over what time it is or where I am.
 14- I often forget important appointments.
 15- Lately I've had difficulty naming objects I'm familiar with.

N.B. If you want to get your score immediately, count up the number of (T) here:
Score is ______________

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

Potter, B., & Orfali, S., 1993. Brain booster food and drugs make you smarter. 1st ed. Delta litho:
USA.
3- For each of the following statement put () in front of correct choice please:

1- The availability of drinkable water sources in the university is:

 Sufficient  Insufficient

2- How many cups of water do you drink every day?

 Less than 4 cups  More than 4 cups

3- Do you eat fruit and vegetable every day?

 Yes  No

4- Do you know the importance of Omega-3 to your brain and where can be found?
 Yes  No

5- How many meals do you eat every week contain any type of fish:
None 2 4 6

6- Do you drink coffee every day:

 Yes  No

7- Are you satisfied with the food that is provided from the shops on campus?
 Yes  No

8- What type of fruit do you prefer to eat usually?

 Orange Banana  Kiwi  Apple

9- What is your favourite snake?

 Chocolate Fruits  None

10- Have you seen any information on campus about food that could improve your
brain performance:
 Yes  No

11- Do you feel depressed, anxious or have difficulty sleeping?

 Yes Sometimes Rarely  No

2- Analysis:

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

12-15
Your brain is running on empty. Better see your doctor. You can refuel
your brain with food. Vitamins and drugs that make you smarter.

9-12
Brain drain is a danger. Check your diet today. You can reduce brain
drain with vitamins and brain foods.

5-9
Your brain is functioning okay. By eating and drinking smarter your brain
can function at optimal levels.

Reference:
Potter, B., & Orfali, S., 1993. Brain booster food and drugs make you smarter. 1st ed.
Delta litho: USA.

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 Food that has beneficial effect on cognitive performance

References:

Bulstrode, M., 2008. Bananas to boost exam results. London: The independent.
Availableat:<http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/bananas-
to-boost-exam-results-830013.html. Accessed on 27/02/2010.

Bruin and Gilsenan, 2008. Effects of food energy on cognitive performance, British
Journal of Nutrition, 101, 1047–1051.

Colombani, et al, 2002. Carbohydrate to protein ratio in food and cognitive

performancein the morning, Physiology & Behavior, 75, 411 – 423.

Hoyland et al. 2009. A systematic review of the effect of breakfast on the cognitive
performance of children and adolescents, Nutrition Research Reviews. 22, 220–243

Hoyland, et al, 2008. Carbohydrate to protein ratio in food and cognitive

performancein the morning, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 32, 72–85.

Lieberman, H., 2002. Nutrition, brain function and cognitive performance, MA,
01760 (5007), 245-254.

Potter, B., & Orfali, S., 1993. Brain booster food and drugs make you smarter. 1st ed.
P P

Delta litho: USA.

Schweiger, M., 2002. Dehydration affects the children in school. Yorkshire. Available
at;:<http://www.ywsonline.co.uk/web/po_rels4.nsf/0/80256BC70032A99B80256BD
0T

B00334A0D. Accessed on 27/02/2010 0T

Suhr et al., 2004. The relation of hydration status to cognitive performancein healthy
older adults, International Journal of Psychophysiology, 53, 121– 125.

Toren, K., 2009. Fish diet boosts intelligence score. Sweden: top new health
Available at : < http://www.topnews.in/healthcare/content/-21299fish-diet-boosts-
0T

intelligence-scores-swedish-study-finds. Accessed on 27/02/2010 0T

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