Short-term Aronia melanocarpa extract supplementation improves cognitive performance: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study in healthy young adults

Eur J Nutr. 2024 Aug;63(5):1545-1553. doi: 10.1007/s00394-024-03381-3. Epub 2024 Apr 24.

Abstract

Purpose: Evidence on the potential beneficial effects of anthocyanin-rich foods and supplements on cognitive performance is mainly based on acute or long-term studies in older adults. However, short-term studies focusing on a younger population are lacking. Therefore, short-term effects of Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) supplementation on cognitive performance were investigated in healthy young adults. Potential underlying mechanisms were also addressed.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed involving 35 apparently healthy young adults. Participants consumed AME (180 mg anthocyanins/day) or a placebo for 1 week, separated by at least 2 weeks of wash-out. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Furthermore, arterial stiffness (carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity), retinal microvascular calibers (fundus photography), and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations were measured at baseline and after 1 week.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 25 ± 4 years and an average BMI of 23.4 ± 2.7 kg/m2. Compliance was excellent and the study product was well-tolerated. As compared to placebo, movement time was significantly reduced by 4.8% within the five-choice reaction time test after 1 week of AME supplementation (intervention effect: - 12 ms; p < 0.05). Memory and executive function did however not change. Serum BDNF concentrations were significantly higher after AME supplementation as compared to placebo (+ 5.7%; intervention effect: 1.8 ng/mL; p < 0.05). However, arterial stiffness and retinal microvascular calibers were not affected.

Conclusion: Short-term AME supplementation beneficially affected cognitive performance as attention and psychomotor speed improved. Serum BDNF concentrations were increased, but vascular function markers were not affected.

Clinical trial registration: The study was registered on Clinical Trials under NCT03793777 on January 4th, 2019.

Keywords: Anthocyanins; Aronia; Cognition; Human; Intervention; Vascular function.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthocyanins / administration & dosage
  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* / blood
  • Cognition* / drug effects
  • Cross-Over Studies*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Photinia* / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts* / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Vascular Stiffness / drug effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Anthocyanins

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03793777