Effects of almond consumption on the post-lunch dip and long-term cognitive function in energy-restricted overweight and obese adults.
The post-lunch dip in cognition is a well-established phenomenon of decreased alertness, memory and vigilance after lunch consumption. Lunch composition reportedly influences the post-lunch dip. Moreover, dieting is associated with cognitive function impairments. The negative effects of dieting have been reversed with nut-supplemented diets. The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the acute effect of an almond-enriched high-fat lunch or high-carbohydrate lunch on the post-lunch decline in cognitive function, and (2) evaluate the effects of chronic almond consumption as part of an energy-restricted diet on the memory and attention domains of cognitive function. In total, eighty-six overweight and obese adults were randomised to consume either an almond-enriched diet (AED) or a nut-free control diet (NFD) over a 12-week weight loss intervention. Participants were also randomised to receive either an almond-enriched high-fat lunch (A-HFL) (>55 % energy from fat, almonds contributing 70-75 % energy) or a high-carbohydrate lunch (HCL) (>85 % energy from carbohydrates) at the beginning and end of the weight loss intervention. Memory and attention performance indices decreased after lunch consumption (P<0·001). The A-HFL group ameliorated the decline in memory scores by 57·7 % compared with the HCL group (P=0·004). Both lunch groups had similar declines in attention. Moreover, memory and attention performance indices increased after the 12-week intervention period (P<0·05) with no difference between the AED and NFD groups. In conclusion, almond consumption at a midday meal can reduce the post-lunch dip in memory. However, long-term almond consumption may not further improve cognitive function outcomes in a weight loss intervention.
Department of Nutrition Science,Purdue University,West Lafayette,IN 47907,USA.
Jaapna
J
Dhillon
Department of Nutrition Science,Purdue University,West Lafayette,IN 47907,USA.
Sze-Yen
0000-0002-9607-202X
SY
Tan
Department of Nutrition Science,Purdue University,West Lafayette,IN 47907,USA.
Richard D
RD
Mattes
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062409:Lunch; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight; D019518:Postprandial Period; D000068181:Prunus dulcis; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats
 A-HFL almond-enriched high-fat lunch group;  AED almond-enriched diet;  CP concentration performance;  HCL high-carbohydrate lunch group;  NFD nut-free diet;  TN quantitative performance;  TNE qualitative performance;  VLR verbal list recognition; Almonds; Cognitive function; Energy restriction; Nuts; Post-lunch dip