scholarly journals Investigating the Effects of a High-fat Coffee Beverage Containing Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil and Ghee on Cognitive Function and Measures of Satiety

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 902-902
Author(s):  
Kara Crampton ◽  
Garett Jackson ◽  
Hannah Streight ◽  
Jonathan Little

Abstract Objectives To test the hypotheses that Bulletproof Coffee (a blended drink containing coffee, medium-chain triglyceride [MCT] oil, and grass-fed ghee) will acutely improve cognitive function and lead to greater satiety when compared to black coffee. Methods This study uses a single-blind, counterbalanced, randomized cross-over design with each participant completing two visits ∼7 days apart. The researchers are unaware of the beverage consumed by the participant, however, distinct differences in taste and texture between the Bulletproof Coffee (10 oz freshly brewed coffee, 15 ml MCT oil, 15 ml grass-fed ghee, ∼250 kcal) and black coffee (10 oz freshly brewed coffee, ∼1 kcal) prevented participant blinding. At the time of COVID-19 in-person research curtailment on our campus, six young, healthy participants (n = 5 females, age = 25 ± 8) who are regular coffee consumers had completed both trials and we are presenting the preliminary data here. During each trial participants complete baseline fasted measurements of cognitive performance (Digit Substitution Task [DSST], Stroop Task and Speed Task, all performed on a tablet computer), hunger/fullness, cognitive arousal, and gastrointestinal distress and then consume one of the two test beverages. The same measures are obtained again at 60- and 170-minutes post-consumption. Results Preliminary results suggest that there is no difference in cognitive function between the two conditions measured by number correct on the DSST (P = 0.44). Results suggest that there is a significant condition by time interaction resulting in greater measurements of fullness (P = 0.04) over the visit and a lower perceived prospective food consumption (P = 0.02) in the Bulletproof Coffee condition when compared to black coffee. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effects of Bulletproof coffee on cognitive performance. Preliminary data suggests that there may be no benefit of Bulletproof coffee over black coffee for improving cognitive performance. However, consuming one Bulletproof coffee containing 250 kcal, as compared to black coffee, does appear to increase feelings of fullness and result in a reduction in perceived prospective food consumption after 3 hours. Funding Sources Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. e2694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry V. O'Neill ◽  
Chris M. Dodds ◽  
Sam R. Miller ◽  
Ashutosh Gupta ◽  
Philip Lawrence ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 229 ◽  
pp. 113252
Author(s):  
Jake S. Ashton ◽  
James W. Roberts ◽  
Caroline J. Wakefield ◽  
Richard M. Page ◽  
Don P.M. MacLaren ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siya Khanna ◽  
Susanne Aufreiter ◽  
Deborah O'Connor

Abstract Objectives In 1998, Health Canada mandated folic acid fortification of white flour and enriched grain products to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects. In 2009, we reported that the analyzed folate content of 95 of the mostly commonly purchased folic acid fortified foods in Canada was on average 151 ± 16% of that reported in the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF). The aim of this study was to assess whether 20 years after mandatory fortification, the CNF values for folate and folic acid accurately reflect amounts determined by direct assessment. Methods Using the 2007 ACNielsen Company data 15 of the most commonly purchased folic acid-fortified foods from each of the following categories were selected: “breads”, “rolls and buns”, “cookies” and “crackers”. Folate concentrations in foods were determined using the tri-enzyme digestion method followed by a microbiological assay. Synthetic folic acid concentrations were determined using stable-isotope liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Analyzed values were compared to the 2015 Canadian Nutrient File; unbranded foods. Results Our preliminary data show the total folate content analyzed in foods (n = 24 to date) was significantly higher than the CNF values across all categories (P < 0.01) and on average, 187% ± 15 of the CNF values. Similarly, the synthetic folic acid content in foods was significantly higher than CNF values for “rolls and buns” and “cookies” (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively) and on average 163% ± 25 of the CNF values. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest, 20 years after mandatory fortification of the food supply, CNF values which include unbranded foods do not accurately represent the amounts of total folate and synthetic folic acid in foods. Hence dietary estimates established using the CNF many significantly underestimate actual intakes due to continued overages in folic acid fortification. Funding Sources Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1127-1127
Author(s):  
Garett Jackson ◽  
Kara Crampton ◽  
Hannah Streight ◽  
Jonathan Little

Abstract Objectives Low-carbohydrate, high-fat “ketogenic” food supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years with claims of improving body composition and cognition, while reducing hunger. However, acute consumption of high-fat foods has been shown to promote dietary endotoxemia; the release of bacterial lipopolysaccharide from the gut into the blood, which is linked to proinflammatory responses through activating toll like receptor (TLR) 4 on circulating monocytes. Bulletproof Coffee is a popular high-fat beverage consisting of coffee, medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, and grass-fed ghee. The purpose of this study is to determine whether consuming this high-fat coffee beverage would impact cellular inflammation assessed by increases in the number of circulating monocytes and monocyte surface TLR4 expression. We hypothesize that consuming one high-fat “Bulletproof Coffee” will elevate concentrations of circulating monocytes and increase TLR4 expression when compared to a black coffee comparator drink. Methods This study is a single-blind (researcher), randomized crossover design wherein participants consume either a freshly prepared coffee (1 pod with 12oz water; ∼1 kcal), or high-fat bulletproof coffee (1 pod with 12 oz water containing 1 tbsp MCT oil and 1 tbsp ghee; 27 g fat; ∼250 kcal) separated by ∼7 days. Participants provided blood samples in the fasted state and at 60- and 180-minutes following beverage consumption. Blood samples were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Six healthy adults (n = 5 females) aged 25 ± 8 years who consume coffee regularly have completed both conditions. Preliminary statistical analysis using a linear mixed model has shown no significant time x condition interaction (P = 0.184) or main effect of time (P = 0.211) for the concentration of circulating monocytes. Similarly, no interaction (P = 0.675) or main effects of time (P = 0.337) were observed for monocyte surface TLR4 expression. Conclusions Preliminary data suggests that consuming a single high-fat bulletproof coffee does not appear to increase circulating monocyte concentrations or monocyte TLR4 expression. Further research will be required to determine whether acute consumption of a high-fat coffee beverage impacts inflammation in humans. Funding Sources This study is funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada grant.


GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Zala Gombač ◽  
Ilja Gasan Osojnik Črnivec ◽  
Mihaela Skrt ◽  
Katja Istenič ◽  
Andreja Knez Knafelj ◽  
...  

Lutein is a challenging compound to incorporate into food, as it is poorly soluble and unstable in aqueous solutions. In this study, the aim was to prepare stable encapsulates of lutein and lutein esters using feasible and straightforward techniques. Fine suspensions based on polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and medium-chain triglyceride oil micelle-like units with 3.45% lutein esters or 1.9% lutein equivalents provided high encapsulation efficiencies of 79% and 83%, respectively. Lutein encapsulated in fine suspensions showed superior stability, as 86% was retained within the formulation over 250 days at 25 °C in the dark. Under the same storage conditions, only 38% of lutein remained in corresponding formulations. Higher encapsulation efficiencies were achieved with lecithin emulsions, at up to 99.3% for formulations with lutein, and up to 91.4% with lutein esters. In lecithin emulsions that were stored for 250 days, 17% and 80% of lutein and lutein esters, respectively, were retained within the formulations.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nicolazzo ◽  
Katharine Xu ◽  
Alexandra Lavale ◽  
Rachel Buckley ◽  
Nawaf Yassi ◽  
...  

Abstract Study objectives To examine if sleep symptomatology was associated with subjective cognitive concerns or objective cognitive performance in a dementia-free community-based sample. Methods A total of 1421 middle-aged participants (mean±standard deviation = 57±7; 77% female) from the Healthy Brain Project completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure sleep quality, insomnia symptom severity, and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Participants were classified as having no sleep symptomatology (normal scores on each sleep measure), moderate sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on one sleep measure), or high sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on at least two sleep measures), using established cut-off values. Analysis of covariance was used to compare objective cognitive function (Cogstate Brief Battery) and subjective cognitive concerns (Modified Cognitive Function Instrument) across groups. Results Following adjustments for age, sex, education, mood, and vascular risk factors, persons classified as having high sleep symptomatology, versus none, displayed more subjective cognitive concerns (d=0.24) but no differences in objective cognitive performance (d=0.00-0.18). Subjective cognitive concerns modified the association between sleep symptomatology and psychomotor function. The strength of the relationship between high sleep symptomatology (versus none) and psychomotor function was significantly greater in persons with high as compared with low cognitive concerns (β±SE =-0.37±0.16; p=0.02). Conclusions More severe sleep symptomatology was associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns. Persons reporting high levels of sleep symptomatology may be more likely to display poorer objective cognitive function in the presence of subjective cognitive concerns.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Kimberly H. Wood ◽  
Adeel A. Memon ◽  
Raima A. Memon ◽  
Allen Joop ◽  
Jennifer Pilkington ◽  
...  

Background: Cognitive and sleep dysfunction are common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: Determine the relationship between slow wave sleep (SWS) and cognitive performance in PD. Methods: Thirty-two PD participants were evaluated with polysomnography and a comprehensive level II neurocognitive battery, as defined by the Movement Disorders Society Task Force for diagnosis of PD-mild cognitive impairment. Raw scores for each test were transformed into z-scores using normative data. Z-scores were averaged to obtain domain scores, and domain scores were averaged to determine the Composite Cognitive Score (CCS), the primary outcome. Participants were grouped by percent of SWS into High SWS and Low SWS groups and compared on CCS and other outcomes using 2-sided t-tests or Mann-Whitney U. Correlations of cognitive outcomes with sleep architecture and EEG spectral power were performed. Results: Participants in the High SWS group demonstrated better global cognitive function (CCS) (p = 0.01, effect size: r = 0.45). In exploratory analyses, the High SWS group showed better performance in domains of executive function (effect size: Cohen’s d = 1.05), language (d = 0.95), and processing speed (d = 1.12). Percentage of SWS was correlated with global cognition and executive function, language, and processing speed. Frontal EEG delta power during N3 was correlated with the CCS and executive function. Cognition was not correlated with subjective sleep quality. Conclusion: Increased SWS and higher delta spectral power are associated with better cognitive performance in PD. This demonstrates the significant relationship between sleep and cognitive function and suggests that interventions to improve sleep might improve cognition in individuals with PD.


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