Dietary nitrate modulates cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in humans: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation

Wightman, Emma, Haskell, Crystal, Thompson, Kevin, Blackwell, James, Winyard, Paul, Forster, Joanne, Jones, Andrew and Kennedy, David (2015) Dietary nitrate modulates cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in humans: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover investigation. Physiology and Behavior, 149. pp. 149-158. ISSN 0031-9384

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.035

Abstract

Nitrate derived from vegetables is consumed as part of a normal diet and is reduced endogenously via nitrite to nitric oxide. It has been shown to improve endothelial function, reduce blood pressure and the oxygen cost of sub-maximal exercise, and increase regional perfusion in the brain. The current study assessed the effects of dietary nitrate on cognitive performance and prefrontal cortex cerebral blood-flow (CBF) parameters in healthy adults. In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups study, 40 healthy adults received either placebo or 450. ml beetroot juice (~. 5.5. mmol nitrate). Following a 90. minute drink/absorption period, participants performed a selection of cognitive tasks that activate the frontal cortex for 54. min. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to monitor CBF and hemodynamics, as indexed by concentration changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated-haemoglobin, in the frontal cortex throughout. The bioconversion of nitrate to nitrite was confirmed in plasma by ozone-based chemi-luminescence. Dietary nitrate modulated the hemodynamic response to task performance, with an initial increase in CBF at the start of the task period, followed by consistent reductions during the least demanding of the three tasks utilised. Cognitive performance was improved on the serial 3s subtraction task. These results show that single doses of dietary nitrate can modulate the CBF response to task performance and potentially improve cognitive performance, and suggest one possible mechanism by which vegetable consumption may have beneficial effects on brain function.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Crystal Haskell now known as Crystal Haskell-Ramsay Published online first - 31 May 2015
Uncontrolled Keywords: beetroot, near-infrared spectroscopy, cerebal blood flow, nitric oxide, nitrite, nitrate, cognition
Subjects: C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Users 6424 not found.
Date Deposited: 29 Jun 2015 12:14
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2021 04:33
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/23205

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