Polyphenol-rich tart cherries (Prunus Cerasus, cv Montmorency) improve sustained attention, feelings of alertness and mental fatigue and influence the plasma metabolome in middle-aged adults: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Kimble, Rachel, Keane, Karen M., Lodge, John, Cheung, William, Haskell-Ramsay, Crystal and Howatson, Glyn (2022) Polyphenol-rich tart cherries (Prunus Cerasus, cv Montmorency) improve sustained attention, feelings of alertness and mental fatigue and influence the plasma metabolome in middle-aged adults: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 128 (12). pp. 2409-2420. ISSN 0007-1145

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522000460

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence for the protective effects of polyphenols on risk factors associated with cognitive decline and mood disorders. Tart Montmorency cherries (MC) are a particularly rich source of anthocyanins and other polyphenols that have been shown to elicit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasomodulatory actions. This study aimed to determine the influence of chronic MC supplementation on cognitive function, mood, sleep, health and cerebral blood flow. In a 3-month double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel study, middle-aged adults (mean ± SD: 48 ± 6 years) were randomly assigned to either 30 ml twice daily of MC (n = 25) or the same amount of an isocaloric placebo (n = 25). Cognitive function and mood were assessed before and after supplementation using a computerised cognitive task battery and visual analogue scales. Cerebral blood flow was also monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy during the task battery, questionnaires were administered to determine subjective sleep and health status and plasma metabolomics was analysed before and after supplementation. After 3 months, the MC resulted in higher accuracy in digit vigilance (mean difference: 3.3, 95CI: 0.2, 6.4) with lower number of false alarms (mean difference: -1.2, 95CI: -2.0, -0.4) compared to the placebo. There was also a treatment effect for higher alertness (mean difference: 5.9, 95CI: 1.3, 10.5) and lower mental fatigue ratings (mean difference -9.5, 95CI: -16.5, -2.5) with MC. Plasma metabolomics revealed an increase in a number of amino acids in response to MC intake, but not placebo. These data suggest an anti-fatiguing effect of MC supplementation as well as the ability to improve sustained attention during times of high cognitive demand, this might be related to changes in amino acid metabolism.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding information: This study was supported by Northumbria University and the Cherry Research Committee, a not-for-profit organisation, for a Collaborative Doctoral Research Studentship Scheme. The external funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.
Uncontrolled Keywords: sustained attention, anthocyanins, cerebral blood flow, sleep, mental fatigue, Bond-Lader, metabolomics
Subjects: B400 Nutrition
C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Applied Sciences
Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2022 09:28
Last Modified: 01 Dec 2022 16:00
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/48309

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