How to boost brains of young men

London, Jan 12 (ANI): Exercise is not only good for overall health, but also beneficial for grey matter. Researchers have shown that fitter a man is, the higher his IQ.

According to Daily Express, Swedish researchers have suggested seven simple ways to boost brains of young men.

1. Get going

Researchers have found a link between cardiovascular fitness - exercise that elevates heart rate and makes you sweat - and higher IQ scores. A mix of running and cycling, or any participation sport is just enough to boost brainpower.

2. Feast on fish pie

Fish really good for brain. Giving teenage boys a fish dinner at least once a week boosts their intelligence, irrespective of whether they get a good education, according to research at the University of Gothenburg.

3. Explore meditation

According to meditation expert Dr Fred Travis, "Meditation works as it teaches us to turn our attention - which is usually directed outwards at what's going on around us - inwards." He believes meditation boosts brainpower by encouraging "integration" - a state when the whole brain works in harmony.

4. Sip tea

Caffeine really does sharpen the mind but to get the best effects regular tea breaks are preferable to a strong morning espresso. Throughout the day, your brain fills up with adenosine, a chemical thought to cause mental fatigue. Caffeine blocks the brain's adenosine receptors, countering the chemical's dulling effects. To maximise alertness and minimise jitters, frequent small doses work best.

5. Take a power nap

Numerous studies have found people perform better on memory tests after a short nap, an effect that's more marked in men.

"Naps get rid of all the clutter which accumulates if you keep doing things without a rest," said Professor Jim Horne, who runs the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University.

"To be effective naps must be short - not even 20 minutes. Any longer and the full-blown sleep process can kick in and you can wake up feeling groggy and thick-headed," he added.

6. Do a few puzzles

Crosswords, puzzles and even good riddles are a great way to give your brain a workout. Research shows that regular mind challenges generate new nerve growth, which can halt the decline of mental function that comes with age.

7. Play your favourite tunes

In a study at the University of California researchers found teenagers who studied piano and sang daily in choirs were much more successful at solving puzzles and scored up to 80 per cent better in spatial intelligence tests than a non-musical control group.

Listen to music every morning. You don't have to become a classical music buff. Guitar-based rock was found to improve concentration and boost memory just as much as Mozart in a study at Glasgow Caledonian University. (ANI)