Love it or loathe it but taking just one spoonful a day of a very British foodstuff could have a huge impact on helping with stress and anxiety and even help you sleep. A study has shown Marmite to be good for the nervous system, the Times reported. Although the rich dark spread does have a high salt content it also has lots of B vitamins, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin, which support the nervous system and help the body to release energy from food.
The B vitamins in Marmite were also shown in a study by psychologists at the University of York to increase levels of a brain-calming neurotransmitter. The study results, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, suggested that one daily teaspoon of Marmite for a month was enough to reduce the brain’s unhealthy response to stressful visual stimuli. It is also rich in magnesium and may improve sleep quality.
Read next: Controlled explosion carried out in Cardiff as 'potentially dangerous' item located Don't miss: Marmite fans left 'in shock' after realising what it is made from The rich, dark spread is made from concentrated yeast extract, which is a by-product from brewing beer. It was invented in 1902 when the Marmite Food Company opened a small factory in Burton-on-Trent – where it still resides today. In the study participants consumed a teaspoon of Marmite every day for a month while a control group consumed peanut butter.
The results showed a substantial reduction of around 30% in their brain’s response to visual.
