Want Your Brain to Stay Sharp? A New Study Suggests a Surprising Habit Might Help

Also? ‘More enjoyment.’

EXPERT OPINION BY BILL MURPHY JR., FOUNDER OF UNDERSTANDABLY AND CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, INC. @BILLMURPHYJR

Before we begin this article, can I get you something to drink?

Coffee? An energy drink?

Or—stay with me here—maybe a can of sparkling water.

A new study out of Japan tested a surprising idea: if you’re doing something that fries your brain over time (in this case, three straight hours of esports play), could carbonation help you stay sharp, but without caffeine or sugar?

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The answer, in this small experiment, was basically: yes. Sparkling water looked like it helped players stay more alert, feel less mentally worn down, and even commit fewer “dumb mistakes,” at least as the researchers measured it.

This caught my attention for another reason.

Years ago, after writing about a couple of studies linking both sugary soda and diet soda with some pretty concerning health outcomes, I basically stopped drinking soda altogether.

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