Flavonoid-rich orange juice is associated with acute improvements in cognitive function in healthy middle-aged males.
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiological evidence suggests that chronic consumption of fruit-based flavonoids is associated with cognitive benefits; however, the acute effects of flavonoid-rich (FR) drinks on cognitive function in the immediate postprandial period require examination. The objective was to investigate whether consumption of FR orange juice is associated with acute cognitive benefits over 6 h in healthy middle-aged adults.


METHODS
Males aged 30-65 consumed a 240-ml FR orange juice (272 mg) and a calorie-matched placebo in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced order on 2 days separated by a 2-week washout. Cognitive function and subjective mood were assessed at baseline (prior to drink consumption) and 2 and 6 h post consumption. The cognitive battery included eight individual cognitive tests. A standardized breakfast was consumed prior to the baseline measures, and a standardized lunch was consumed 3 h post-drink consumption.


RESULTS
Change from baseline analysis revealed that performance on tests of executive function and psychomotor speed was significantly better following the FR drink compared to the placebo. The effects of objective cognitive function were supported by significant benefits for subjective alertness following the FR drink relative to the placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that consumption of FR orange juice can acutely enhance objective and subjective cognition over the course of 6 h in healthy middle-aged adults.
Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK.
Mudi H
MH
Alharbi
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK. d.j.lamport@reading.ac.uk.
Daniel J
DJ
Lamport
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
Georgina F
GF
Dodd
PepsiCo Inc., Reading, UK.
Caroline
C
Saunders
PepsiCo Inc., Reading, UK.
Laura
L
Harkness
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK.
Laurie T
LT
Butler
Molecular Nutrition Group, School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK.
Jeremy P E
JP
Spencer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005419:Flavonoids
Cognition; Cognitive function; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Orange juice