Omega-3 has been known to help maintain low blood pressure and cardiovascular health, but other than its heart-friendly benefits, this fatty acid can also boost the brain power of yuppies from ages 18 to 25 years old.

Featured on ScienceDaily.com, the study was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh. Inviting young men and women from all ethnicities, researchers analyzed blood samples and positron emission tomography (PET) images before asking the volunteers to take Omega-3 supplements for the next six months.

After getting a healthy fatty acid boost, the volunteers were given “n-back tests,” which are memory exercises that ask them to recall a letter or a number shown two to three times prior in a series.

Researchers saw immediate results. Project investigator and neuroscience professor Bita Moghaddam explains, "What was particularly interesting about the presupplementation n-back test was that it correlated positively with plasma Omega-3. This means that the Omega-3s they were getting from their diet already positively correlated with their working memory."

Of course, you shouldn’t just rely on Omega-3 supplements to keep your mind sharp. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits such as going for a proper diet, regularly engaging in physical activities, and getting proper rest are needed in order to keep your brain in tip-top shape.

(Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis via Flickr Creative Commons)