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Sasaki A, Mizuno K, Morito Y, Oba C, Nakamura K, Natsume M, Watanabe K, Yamano E, Watanabe Y. The effects of dark chocolate on cognitive performance during cognitively demanding tasks: A randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24430. [PMID: 38268830 PMCID: PMC10803911 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols, increases cerebral blood flow and improves cognitive function. This study aimed to determine whether the consumption of chocolate with a high concentration of polyphenols helps to maintain cognitive performance during cognitively demanding tasks. In this randomized, single-blinded, crossover, dose-comparison study, 18 middle-aged adults consumed two types of chocolate (25 g each), one with a high concentration (635.0 mg) and the other with a low concentration (211.7 mg) of cacao polyphenols, and performed a cognitive task requiring response inhibition and selective attention over two time periods (15-30 min and 40-55 min after consumption, respectively). Autonomic nerve function and subjective feelings, such as fatigue and concentration, were measured before food intake and after the second task to assess the participant's state. The results showed that the average reaction time between the first and second sessions was not significantly different for either high- or low-concentration chocolate consumption. However, the percentage of correct responses was similar in the first (96.7 %) and second (96.8 %) sessions for high-concentration chocolate consumption and significantly lower for low-concentration chocolate consumption in the second (96.4 %) session than in the first session (97.3 %). Autonomic nerve function showed a significant increase in sympathetic nerve activity after the second task with high-concentration chocolate consumption, while subjective feelings showed an increase in mental fatigue for both chocolate types but a significant decrease in concentration only after the second task with low-concentration chocolate consumption. These findings suggest that dark chocolate consumption contributes to the maintenance of performance and concentration in continuous and demanding cognitive tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Sasaki
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Compass to Healthy Life Research Complex Program, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kei Mizuno
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Compass to Healthy Life Research Complex Program, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Morito
- RIKEN Compass to Healthy Life Research Complex Program, Kobe, Japan
| | - Chisato Oba
- Food Microbiology Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nakamura
- Food Microbiology Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Midori Natsume
- Food Microbiology Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyosuke Watanabe
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Compass to Healthy Life Research Complex Program, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Emi Yamano
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Compass to Healthy Life Research Complex Program, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Watanabe
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
- RIKEN Compass to Healthy Life Research Complex Program, Kobe, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
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Ellagitannins, urolithins, and neuroprotection: Human evidence and the possible link to the gut microbiota. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 89:101109. [PMID: 35940941 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ellagitannins (ETs) and ellagic acid (EA) are dietary polyphenols poorly absorbed but extensively metabolized by the human gut microbiota to produce different urolithins (Uros). Depending on the individuals' microbial signatures, ETs metabolism can yield the Uro metabotypes A, B, or 0, potentially impacting human health after consuming ETs. Human evidence points to improved brain health after consuming ET-rich foods, mainly pomegranate juices and extracts containing punicalagin, punicalin, and different EA-derivatives. Although ETs and (or) EA are necessary to exert the effects, the precise mechanism, actual metabolites, or final drivers responsible for the observed effects have not been unraveled. The cause-and-effect evidence on Uro-A administration and the improvement of animal brain health is consistent but not addressed in humans. The Uro-A's in vivo anti-inflammatory, mitophagy, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis activities suggest it as a possible final driver in neuroprotection. However, the precise Uro metabolic forms reaching the brain are unknown. In addition to the possible participation of direct effectors in brain tissues, the current evidence points out that improving blood flow, gut microbiota ecology, and gut barrier by ET-rich foods and (or) Uro-A could contribute to the neuroprotective effects. We show here the current human evidence on ETs and brain health, the possible link between the gut microbiota metabolism of ETs and their effects, including the preservation of the gut barrier integrity, and the possible role of Uros. Finally, we propose a roadmap to address what is missing on ETs, Uros, and neuroprotection.
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