A nutrient found in spinach and eggs could help sharpen reflexes and therefore improve road safety.

So says a team of researchers from Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam, who conducted a study on the impact of intake of tyrosine, a nutrient found in foods including spinach, eggs, cheese and soy.
For their research, scientists tested the reaction times of participants on a computer screen. Whenever a green arrow appeared, they were instructed to press the corresponding button as quickly as possible. Buttons had to match direction of the arrow -- either left or right. When a red arrow appeared, participants were instructed to do nothing.
Sessions were divided into two tests: on one occasion, participants were given a tyrosine-enriched orange juice before the task, and on the other, a glass of orange juice that contained a placebo.
Results showed that candidates showed improved reflexes after drinking the orange juice with tyrosine.
Researchers hypothesize that increased intake of tyrosine-rich foods and supplements could have implications on road safety, improving drivers’ reaction times to braking for children or pile-ups.
Low levels of tyrosine are also linked to lower levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can lead to depression and apathy.