While omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to better heart health among the elderly, as well as those in middle age looking to offset the risks of obesity, a new study finds that even younger users may be able to use them to improve learning and cognitive abilities.

Swedish researchers found that intake of oily fishes, which contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than other sources, increased the memory abilities for teenage males who were required to take cognitive tests prior to entering that nation’s military service at age 18.

For those who consumed the equivalent of three servings of fish per week, performance was 11 percent higher on the entrance exam than those who had one serving on overall test scores, the study found.

Those scores were higher than those who did not consume any fish containing the chemical, researchers found, and scores were better for those who incorporated the oily fish into their diet in a variety of tests, including verbal and visuospatial tests.