Background: Increased cerebral vaso-dilation during cognitive demand is hypothesised to improve cognitive performance due to an improved micronutrient status. Despite previous research demonstrating that oral resveratrol can modulate cerebral haemodynamics, this has not translated into expected improvements to cognitive performance in young, healthy populations. As the brain is the most metabolic organ in the body, even subtle changes to fuel utilization and overall energy expenditure are detectable during cognitive demand. The measurement of both overall energy expenditure and fuel utilization may provide further insight to the effects of resveratrol and whether oral supplementation of this polyphenol can provide clear, cognitive benefits in a young, healthy sample. Objectives: The current study investigated the metabolic consequences of resveratrol on whole body metabolism and fuel oxidisation during cognitive performance. Methods: This repeated measures, double blind, placebo controlled, balanced design required participants (N=24 for metabolic activity \& N=26 for cognitive outcomes) to complete a serial subtraction demand battery at baseline, 45 minutes, 2 and 3 hours following 500 mg, 250 mg trans-resveratrol or inert placebo, on three separate occasions whilst connected to an on-line gas analysis system.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
27
Cognitive performance
Participants completed three Serial subtraction tasks (Serial 3, 7 \& 17). Outcomes measured from all three of these tasks were the number correct entries and number of errors. The addition of the two outcomes can also provide a 'total' number of responses entered.
Time frame: 1 Hour
Whole body metabolism
Whole body energy expenditure was measured via indirect calorimetry and was reported in calories burned per minute (Kcal / min).
Time frame: 1 Hour
Fuel Oxidisation
Fuel oxidation was measured via indirect calorimetry and examined the rate of carbohydrate and fat oxidisation (both in grams per minute (g / min)).
Time frame: 1 Hour
Pulmonary gases
An on-line gas analysis system was used to measure oxygen intake and carbon dioxide excretion (both in litres per minute (L / min)) from the participant's expired pulmonary air.
Time frame: 1 Hour
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