This research intervention aims to examine the effects of prebiotic consumption on changes in behavioral and biological measures of cognition and stress among adults.
Evidence-based dietary strategies provide behavioral means benefiting physical and cognitive function. Pertinent to the proposed work, dietary intake has been recently shown to have the potential to directly influence the gut microbiota composition as well as brain function. Specifically, the consumption of prebiotics or fibers metabolized by gut bacteria may also play a role. These foods are readily available in the marketplace, however, their implications for physical and cognitive function are not clear. Accordingly, the proposed study aims to investigate effects of prebiotic beverage consumption on changes in behavioral and biological measures of cognition and stress among adults.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
24
8 oz of study beverage daily
8 oz of study beverage supplemented with 5 grams of fructooligosaccharide and 5 grams of galactooligosaccharide
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois, United States
Biological markers of stress
Changes in 24-hour urinary cortisol, inflammatory markers (e.g. IL-6, CRP).
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
Behavioral markers of stress
Change in reported questionnaire responses specific to depression, stress, and anxiety using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS) Questionnaire.
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
Gastrointestinal Microbiota composition
Impact on bacterial genera abundances.
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
Gastrointestinal microbiota beta-diversity
Impact on beta-diversity measures
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
Gastrointestinal Microbiota alpha-diversity
Impact on alpha-diversity measures
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
Cognitive function
Computer tasks will be used to assess working memory, interference control, cognitive flexibility, and hippocampal function/relational memory
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
Sleep
The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will also be used to assess sleep, as will actigraphy.
Time frame: 4-5 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.