Most people know that mid-afternoon feeling when you just can't seem to get your brain into gear. You try your best, you take a walk, you have a break and despite your best efforts, still struggle to kick the cognitive haze. 

New research indicates that it might actually be more than a case of willpower and that our bio-chemistry has a large effect on our cognitive output. What a surprise!  

Published in the journal NeuroImage, this study sought to better understand the role inflammation plays in cognitive performance [1]. Dr. Ali Mazaheri, a senior author of this study, noted the following with regards to inflammation:

Participants in the study were intentionally inoculated with an inflaming vaccine before being asked to complete a series of tests. The challenges looked at executive control, alertness, and attention. Essentially, the study asked the question, what state of inflammation caused a decline in cognitive performance, if any?

Side note, did you know the anthocyanins in Ārepa have research supporting a reduction in anti-inflammatory markers? 

The results were from a small sample group but raised some interesting points. Notably, the study claims...