“My brain is tired, so I’ll grab something sweet to drink.”
When your focus drops at work or while studying, you have probably reached for coffee, an energy drink or a sweet beverage at some point.
Recently, however, a research group at the University of Tsukuba published intriguing findings that challenge this common habit.
Their results suggest that highly carbonated water may help reduce brain fatigue.
Testing the link between highly carbonated water and brain fatigue
In the study, 14 men and women with an average age of 22.9 played a soccer video game for about three hours, and the researchers compared drinking highly carbonated water every hour with drinking plain water.
The group that drank highly carbonated water showed the following:
• A smaller increase in feelings of fatigue
• A greater sense of enjoyment
• Less decline in decision speed and accuracy
These were the reported results.
In addition, no major changes were seen in blood sugar or stress hormones, confirming that it placed less burden on metabolism than sweet drinks do.
Why did highly carbonated water make a difference?
The research team suggests that the stimulation from carbonation may travel through nerves in the throat to the brainstem and activate neural activity.
Of course, this one study alone does not allow us to conclude that “drinking highly carbonated water relieves brain fatigue.”
With only 14 participants, and the research conducted in the limited setting of game play, further testing across a wider range of ages and lifestyles is anticipated.
Even so, the idea that the stimulation of carbonation itself may influence the brain is a truly fascinating finding.
Don’t let brain fatigue build up
We tend to notice when our bodies are tired, but we often go about our day without realizing that our minds are tired too.
Long hours of desk work, smartphone use and a constant stream of incoming information all place a burden on the brain without our noticing.
That is why it is important to stay hydrated, take breaks, get enough sleep and make time to rest your mind.
At La HEAD, we carefully work not only on the head but also on the neck and shoulders, offering time to relax in body and mind in a space where every detail, from lighting and scent to quiet, has been thoughtfully considered.
Why not give a little rest, now and then, not only to the body that works hard every day but also to the brain that never stops working?