Effects of Seaweed Extract on Mental Performance Following a High-carbohydrate Meal

Acute Post-prandial Cognitive Effects Following Brown Seaweed Extract

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03328923

Enrollment

Registered

2017-11-01

Start date

2016-06-23

Completion date

2016-07-28

Last updated

2017-11-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Change

Keywords

post-prandial cognition, brown seaweed

Brief summary

The current study will explore the impact of seaweed extract on cognitive function following a high-carbohydrate meal at a number of time-points post-consumption.

Detailed description

The current randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel groups study will examine the impact of a brown seaweed extract (InSea2) on cognitive function post-prandially in 60 healthy non-elderly adults who self-report post-meal drowsiness. Computerised measures of episodic memory, attention and subjective state will be completed at baseline and for 3 hours following lunch with either seaweed or placebo consumed 30 minutes prior to a carbohydrate-rich meal.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT500mg brown seaweed powder

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

OTHER

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Participants will receive either 500mg brown seaweed powder (InSea2) or placebo

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Report post-meal drowsiness

Exclusion criteria

Below 18 or above 65 years old at the time of giving consent * Do not report post-meal drowsiness * Any pre-existing medical condition/illness * History of/current head trauma * History of intestinal tract surgery * History of/current diagnosis of drug/alcohol abuse * Currently taking prescription medications (excluding the contraceptive pill) * Habitual use of dietary/herbal supplements * Learning difficulties, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), dyslexia * Frequent migraines that require medication more than once/month. * Visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses * Smoking * Excessive use of caffeine (\>500mg per day) from all dietary sources * Not a native English speaker * Food intolerances/sensitivities, including seafood/fish allergy * Pregnancy, seeking to become pregnant, or current lactation * BMI \<18.5 or \>30 kg/m2 * Any health condition that would prevent fulfilment of the study requirements * Inability to complete all of the study assessments

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Cognitive performance	Change from baseline following acute treatment, measured at 50, 90, 130, 170 and 210 minutes post-dose	Immediate word recall, simple reaction time, digit vigilance and choice reaction time measured via the Computerised Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS, Northumbria University)

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Subjective state	Change from baseline following acute treatment, measured at 50, 90, 130, 170 and 210 minutes post-dose	Concentration, mental stamina, physical stamina, mental tiredness, physical tiredness, hunger, thirst and fullness visual analogue scales measured via the Computerised Mental Performance Assessment System (COMPASS, Northumbria University)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026