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Health

27th Feb 2014

Sharpen Your Ninja Reflexes By Eating More Spinach, Eggs and Soy

Your new best friend is called tyrosine.

Alanna Alexander

If you enjoy eating spinach omelets or drinking soy milk, you’re in luck.

Researchers have found that a common nutrient in spinach, eggs, cheese and soy that could help you react quicker.

A team of researchers from Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam put the nutrient, called tyrosine, in one glass of orange juice and a placebo in the other. They found that participants who drank the tyrosine-laced OJ did better on a reflex test that they designed.

The test was simple: whenever a green arrow appeared on the computer screen, they were instructed to press the corresponding button as quickly as possible. Buttons had to match direction of the arrow – either left or right. When a red arrow appeared, participants were instructed to do nothing.

Researchers hypothesize that increased intake of tyrosine-rich foods and supplements could have implications on road safety, improving drivers’ reaction times to braking for children or pile-ups.

The mental health implications of this nutrient could be huge too, as researchers say that depression and apathy can be lowered with regular intake.