45-Minute Naps Boost Memory Power By Five Times

A new study suggests that the key to a strong memory late into life may not be coffee and gingko biloba, but regular naps.

HNGN reports that the study was done by the United Kingdom's University of Sheffield. The researchers discovered that when infants napped four hours before beginning a learning task, they showed increased learning and memory abilities.

The research was done via an experiment. In the experiment, scientists divided participants into two groups. Scientists then asked both groups to try to remember as many words as possible from a list of 90 words. They also asked the participants to try and remember as many word pairs as they could from a list of 120 unrelated words, such as "shoe-bus."

After looking at the lists and doing a quick memory recall test, one group watched DVDs while the other group napped. The groups were then quizzed on the individual words and word pairs. The group that took a nap recalled a much higher number of both words and word pairs.

As a result of the study, the researchers behind the experiment believe that memories are formed and strengthened during sleep.