Healthy Young Adults
Conditions
Keywords
cocoa flavanols, overt attention, covert attention
Brief summary
The present study aimed to examine whether a cocoa beverage containing 710 mg of flavanols enhances both overt and covert attention in healthy young adults, using a randomized, double-blind, baseline- and placebo-controlled crossover design.
Detailed description
Cocoa flavanols (CF) have various physiological effects that may directly or indirectly enhance cognitive functions. Following CF intake, a series of biochemical processes within vascular smooth muscle cells lead to the relaxation of smooth muscles, the dilation of blood vessels, and an increase in cerebral blood flow. For the brain to function optimally, cerebral blood flow must be maintained at a level that ensures a constant supply of oxygen and glucose to neurons. During periods of intense neuronal activity, neurons require more oxygen and nutrients, which is met by an increase in blood flow. Given that CF has been shown to enhance blood flow and perfusion in brain regions associated with attention (e.g., the parietal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), it was hypothesized that CF intake could acutely improve both overt and covert attention.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTFlavanol
Natural cocoa powder containing 710 mg of flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
Alkalized cocoa powder containing no flavanols was dissolved in 250 mL of hot water and sweetened with 6 g of sugar.
OTHERSugar water
250 mL of hot water with 6 g of sugar
Sponsors
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity
Exclusion criteria
* History of neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular or metabolic disorders * Following a medically restricted diet * Taking antidepressant, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic drugs in the past three months * Currently taking anticoagulant * Taking herbal supplements in the past week * Allergic or intolerant to cocoa, caffeine, sucrose, or fructose * Color blindness
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial cueing task - accuracy | 1 hour 40 minutes post-ingestion | Difference in the total accuracy (%) |
| Spatial cueing task - reaction time | 1 hour 40 minutes post-ingestion | Difference in the reaction time (ms) for correct responses |
| Visual search task - accuracy | 1 hour 40 minutes post-ingestion | Difference in the total accuracy (%) |
| Visual search task - reaction time | 1 hour 40 minutes post-ingestion | Difference in the reaction time (ms) for correct responses |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed