5 Drink more milk: Scientists asked 972 people to fill in detailed surveys on their diets and to complete eight rigorous tests to check their concentration, memory and learning abilities.
Adults who consumed dairy products at least five or six times a week did far better in memory tests compared with those who rarely ate or drank them.
6 Exercise more: Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise improves cognitive function and is particularly good at enhancing memory. Exercise is also thought to encourage the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus – an area of the brain important in memory and learning.
15 Drink green tea: Chinese researchers say regularly drinking it could improve your memory and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease thanks to its key ingredient – the organic molecule EGCG (epigallocatechin-3 gallate), an antioxidant that protects against age-related degenerative illnesses.
Music with strong rhythms and patterns – like reggae and salsa – are best for memory and problem-solving. The more complex the dance, the more the brain will be challenged.
8 Forget the nightcap: Alcohol may help you fall asleep but it leads to a disrupted night’s rest – and has a detrimental effect on concentration and memory, say researchers at The London Sleep Centre.
And the more you drink, the less deep – or REM – sleep you get.
9 Say it out loud: This is the easiest of all methods for remembering everything from where you put your car keys to what you need from the shop to revising for a test, say memory experts.
Studies found saying what you want to remember out loud to yourself – or even mouthing it – will help with recall.