Lamport, D, Lawton, C, Merat, N et al. (7 more authors) (2016) Concord Grape Juice, cognitive function and driving performance: a 12 week, placebo controlled, randomised, crossover trial in mothers of pre-teen children. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103 (3). pp. 775-783. ISSN 0002-9165
Abstract
Background: Daily consumption of Concord grape juice (CGJ) over 3–4 mo has been shown to improve memory function in adults with mild cognitive impairment and reduce blood pressure in hypertensive adults. These benefits likely result from the high concentration of polyphenols in CGJ. Increased stress can impair cognitive function and elevate blood pressure. Thus, we examined the potential beneficial effect of CGJ in individuals with somewhat stressful and demanding lifestyles. Objective: We sought to examine the effects of the daily consumption of CGJ for 12 wk on cognitive function, driving performance, and blood pressure in healthy, middle-aged working mothers. Design: Twenty-five healthy mothers (aged 40–50 y) of preteen children who were employed for ≥30 h/wk consumed 12 ounces (355 mL) of either CGJ (containing 777 mg total polyphenols) or an energy-, taste-, and appearance-matched placebo daily for 12 wk according to a randomized crossover design with a 4-wk washout. Verbal and spatial memory, executive function, attention, blood pressure, and mood were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 wk. Immediately after the cognitive battery, a subsample of 17 women completed a driving performance assessment at the University of Leeds Driving Simulator. The 25-min driving task required participants to match the speed and direction of a lead vehicle. Results: Significant improvements in immediate spatial memory and driving performance were observed after CGJ relative to placebo. There was evidence of an enduring effect of CGJ such that participants who received CGJ in arm 1 maintained better performance in the placebo arm. Conclusions: Cognitive benefits associated with the long-term consumption of flavonoid-rich grape juice are not exclusive to adults with mild cognitive impairment. Moreover, these cognitive benefits are apparent in complex everyday tasks such as driving. Effects may persist beyond the cessation of flavonoid consumption, and future studies should carefully consider the length of washout within crossover designs. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01411631.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This is a free access article, distributed under terms(http://www.nutrition.org/publications/guidelines-and-policies/license/) that permit unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | cognitive function; driving; flavonoids; grape juice; polyphenols; cognition; anthocyanins; memory |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > Institute for Transport Studies (Leeds) > ITS: Safety and Technology (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Psychology (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Welch Foods Inc N/A |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 Mar 2016 10:58 |
Last Modified: | 08 Mar 2016 10:58 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.114553 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Society for Nutrition |
Identification Number: | 10.3945/ajcn.115.114553 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:95958 |