Lecithin for memory and concentration?

Lecithins are a group of fatty compounds that are quite common in food products. Not only do they occur naturally, but due to their valuable culinary properties, they are also used in technological processes as an additive to manufactured food. They have also become popular due to certain health properties.

1. What is lecithin?
2. What are the properties of lecithin?
3. Does lecithin improve memory and concentration?

What is lecithin?

Although several types of lecithin have been identified and can come from various food sources, their name derives from chicken egg yolks (from the Greek word lekithos). The compound was first described in the mid-19th century, when it was observed that it allows oils to mix with water. Apart from eggs, it is found in soybeans, which are the main source of this compound for production purposes. Certain amounts of lecithin have also been identified in cereal grains, but they are not used on such a large scale.

This substance is made up of various compounds of a similar nature, but in different proportions. These compounds include phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine, as well as fatty acids, glycerol and triglycerides.

What are the properties of lecithin?

The properties of lecithin are largely influenced by its origin and exact phospholipid composition. In the context of food technology, these aspects are important from the point of view of emulsifying action, as some compounds in this group promote the dissolution of oil in water, while others allow for more efficient mixing of water added to oil.

Food production is not the only area in which lecithins play an important role – they also have certain effects on human health. The phospholipids that make up this substance are part of the cells of the nervous system and are important for the formation of the brain's ‘consistency’. They help to maintain the functionality of this system during both development and ageing.

Does lecithin improve memory and concentration?

The lipids contained in lecithin play an important role in shaping and maintaining the cognitive functions of the brain at every stage of life. Their role in the processes of neurogenesis and neurodegeneration has an impact on, among other things, memory and concentration. There are indications that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine, among others, may stimulate the development of synapses (structures connecting cells within the nervous system), and that strengthening these connections improves memory processes.

In addition, lecithin has the potential to lower stress-related hormone levels, which is indirectly related to maintaining focus during mental activity. It is worth noting that the effect of this substance on the brain is to some extent dependent on the supply of essential unsaturated fatty acids from the omega-3 and omega-6 families. Therefore, the effectiveness of additional lecithin intake during the day is influenced by your current diet and lifestyle, as well as your overall health and age.