1
|
Nieman KM, Zhu Y, Tucker M, Koecher K. The Role of Dietary Ingredients in Mental Energy - A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN NUTRITION ASSOCIATION 2024; 43:167-182. [PMID: 37561965 DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2023.2244031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Low mental energy can contribute to decreased productivity, altered life balance, decreased physical performance, and ultimately affect quality of life. As such, there is a great demand for food and beverage products that positively impact mental energy. Numerous products claim to alter mental energy making continued review of the scientific evidence critical. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of 18 dietary ingredients on mental energy outcomes in adults without severe disease. Methods: A literature search, completed using PubMed, resulted in the identification of 2261 articles, 190 of which met eligibility from initial abstract review. Full-text review was completed on the 190 studies which resulted in 101 articles that fully met eligibility for inclusion in this study. The search strategy for two ingredients did not yield any eligible studies, leaving studies for 16 ingredients that were extracted and summarized by reported significantly improved outcomes for cognition, mood and perceived feelings, and sleep assessments. The preliminary results for several dietary ingredients directionally suggested a mental energy benefit (≥20% of outcomes), including ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, tart cherries, turmeric, and valerian root. The results of this scoping review suggest that of the 16 dietary ingredients reviewed, 11 may be promising for further exploration on their potential benefits in supporting mental energy. Given consumer demand and market growth for food and beverage products that positively impact mental energy; continued efforts in assessment method alignment and additional evaluation in well-designed trials is warranted.KEY TEACHING POINTSOf the 16 dietary ingredients reviewed, 11 (ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, melatonin foods, turmeric, and valerian root) may be promising for further exploration on their potential mental energy benefits.Dark chocolate, ginseng, ashwagandha, and lion's mane mushroom were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the cognition domain of the ingredients evaluated.Turmeric, maca, lavendar, and ashwagandha were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the mood and perceived feelings domain of the ingredients evaluated.Ashwagandha, chamomile, green tea, melatonin foods, valerian root were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the sleep domain of the ingredients evaluated.Additional, well-designed, consistent, clinical trials and systematic reviews are warranted as the challenge of heterogeneity in mental energy study design remains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yong Zhu
- Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michelle Tucker
- Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Katie Koecher
- Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miranda AR, Cortez MV, Scotta AV, Soria EA. Caffeinated non-alcoholic beverages on the postpartum mental health related to the COVID-19 pandemic by a cross-sectional study in Argentina. HUMAN NUTRITION & METABOLISM 2023; 33:200198. [PMID: 38620109 PMCID: PMC10250059 DOI: 10.1016/j.hnm.2023.200198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Purpose This work aimed to study postpartum mental outcomes and determinants of the intake of caffeinated beverages during the pandemic in women from Argentina. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 619 women who responded to online self-report questionnaires during the first and second waves of COVID-19, including validated instruments (Insomnia Severity Index, Perceived Stress Scale, Postpartum Depression Screening Scale, Memory Complaint Scale, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale), and general data. Intake frequency and amount of caffeinated beverages were estimated. Multivariate regression and structural equation models identified associations and effects (p < 0.05). Results Women were under social restrictions for 60.39 days, with home and essential activities increasing caffeinated intake. They ingested (mL/d): yerba mate (1457.71), coffee (66.85), tea (67.61), and soft drinks (50.95), which provided 646.20 mg/d of caffeine. Intakes of coffee and yerba mate were higher than pre-pandemic ones. Coffee was positively associated with stress and insomnia, and indirectly linked to higher levels of depression and memory complaints, and lower breastfeeding self-efficacy. Tea showed a similar but weaker association. Yerba mate correlated inversely with depression (through direct pathways), insomnia, and memory complaints (through indirect pathways), promoting breastfeeding self-efficacy. Soft drinks and caffeine did not present significant associations. Conclusion Although findings do not imply causation, results suggest that beverages would exhibit caffeine-independent affective and cognitive roles, which might be anxiogenic in the case of coffee and tea (to a lesser extent). Yerba mate showed antidepressant potential. Given that breastfeeding might be compromised during the pandemic, yerba mate intake is promissory to protect postpartum mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agustín Ramiro Miranda
- Montpellier Interdisciplinary Center on Sustainable Agri-food Systems (MoISA), University of Montpellier, CIRAD, CIHEAM-IAMM, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, 911 Avenue d'Agropolis, Cedex 5, 34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Mariela Valentina Cortez
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Bv. de la Reforma, Ciudad Universitaria, 5014, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, INICSA, Bv. de la Reforma, Ciudad Universitaria, 5014, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana Veronica Scotta
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Bv. de la Reforma, Ciudad Universitaria, 5014, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, INICSA, Bv. de la Reforma, Ciudad Universitaria, 5014, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Elio Andrés Soria
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Bv. de la Reforma, Ciudad Universitaria, 5014, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, INICSA, Bv. de la Reforma, Ciudad Universitaria, 5014, Córdoba, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jędrejko K, Catlin O, Stewart T, Anderson A, Muszyńska B, Catlin DH. Unauthorized ingredients in "nootropic" dietary supplements: A review of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, international regulations, and potential as doping agents. Drug Test Anal 2023. [PMID: 37357012 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The first nootropic prohibited in sport was fonturacetam (4-phenylpiracetam, carphedon) in 1998. Presented here 25 years later is a broad-scale consideration of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, regulations, and doping potential of nootropics viewed through a lens of 50 selected dietary supplements (DS) marketed as "cognitive enhancement," "brain health," "brain boosters," or "nootropics," with a focus on unauthorized ingredients. Nootropic DS have risen to prominence over the last decade often as multicomponent formulations of bioactive ingredients presenting compelling pharmacological questions and potential public health concerns. Many popular nootropics are unauthorized food or DS ingredients according to the European Commission including huperzine A, yohimbine, and dimethylaminoethanol; unapproved pharmaceuticals like phenibut or emoxypine (mexidol); previously registered drugs like meclofenoxate or reserpine; EU authorized pharmaceuticals like piracetam or vinpocetine; infamous doping agents like methylhexaneamine or dimethylbutylamine; and other investigational substances and peptides. Several are authorized DS ingredients in the United States resulting in significant global variability as to what qualifies as a legal nootropic. Prohibited stimulants or ß2-agonists commonly used in "pre-workout," "weight loss," or "thermogenic" DS such as octodrine, hordenine, or higenamine are often stacked with nootropic substances. While stimulants and ß2-agonists are defined as doping agents by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), many nootropics are not, although some may qualify as non-approved substances or related substances under catch-all language in the WADA Prohibited List. Synergistic combinations, excessive dosing, or recently researched pharmacology may justify listing certain nootropics as doping agents or warrant additional attention in future regulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karol Jędrejko
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Oliver Catlin
- Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Timothy Stewart
- Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ashley Anderson
- International Sports Pharmacists Network, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Bożena Muszyńska
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Don H Catlin
- Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG), Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Effects of Mental Fatigue on Strength Endurance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Motor Control 2022; 27:442-461. [PMID: 36509089 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2022-0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the effects of mental fatigue on upper and lower body strength endurance. Searches for studies were performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science databases. We included studies that compared the effects of a demanding cognitive task (set to induce mental fatigue) with a control condition on strength endurance in dynamic resistance exercise (i.e., expressed as the number of performed repetitions at a given load). The data reported in the included studies were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis of standardized mean differences. Seven studies were included in the review. We found that mental fatigue significantly reduced the number of performed repetitions for upper body exercises (standardized mean difference: -0.41; 95% confidence interval [-0.70, -0.12]; p = .006; I2 = 0%). Mental fatigue also significantly reduced the number of performed repetitions in the analysis for lower body exercises (standardized mean difference: -0.39; 95% confidence interval [-0.75, -0.04]; p = .03; I2 = 0%). Our results showed that performing a demanding cognitive task-which induces mental fatigue-impairs strength endurance performance. Collectively, our findings suggest that exposure to cognitive tasks that may induce mental fatigue should be minimized before strength endurance-based resistance exercise sessions.
Collapse
|
5
|
Boolani A, Gallivan KM, Ondrak KS, Christopher CJ, Castro HF, Campagna SR, Taylor CM, Luo M, Dowd SE, Smith ML, Byerley LO. Trait Energy and Fatigue May Be Connected to Gut Bacteria among Young Physically Active Adults: An Exploratory Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030466. [PMID: 35276824 PMCID: PMC8839554 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent scientific evidence suggests that traits energy and fatigue are two unique unipolar moods with distinct mental and physical components. This exploratory study investigated the correlation between mental energy (ME), mental fatigue (MF), physical energy (PE), physical fatigue (PF), and the gut microbiome. The four moods were assessed by survey, and the gut microbiome and metabolome were determined from 16 S rRNA analysis and untargeted metabolomics analysis, respectively. Twenty subjects who were 31 ± 5 y, physically active, and not obese (26.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2) participated. Bacteroidetes (45%), the most prominent phyla, was only negatively correlated with PF. The second most predominant and butyrate-producing phyla, Firmicutes (43%), had members that correlated with each trait. However, the bacteria Anaerostipes was positively correlated with ME (0.048, p = 0.032) and negatively with MF (−0.532, p = 0.016) and PF (−0.448, p = 0.048), respectively. Diet influences the gut microbiota composition, and only one food group, processed meat, was correlated with the four moods—positively with MF (0.538, p = 0.014) and PF (0.513, p = 0.021) and negatively with ME (−0.790, p < 0.001) and PE (−0.478, p = 0.021). Only the Firmicutes genus Holdemania was correlated with processed meat (r = 0.488, p = 0.029). Distinct metabolic profiles were observed, yet these profiles were not significantly correlated with the traits. Study findings suggest that energy and fatigue are unique traits that could be defined by distinct bacterial communities not driven by diet. Larger studies are needed to confirm these exploratory findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Boolani
- Department of Physical Therapy, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (L.O.B.); Tel.: +504-319-5828 (A.B.); +704-340-4482 (L.O.B.)
| | - Karyn M. Gallivan
- Sports and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, American Public University System, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA; (K.M.G.); (K.S.O.)
| | - Kristin S. Ondrak
- Sports and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, American Public University System, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA; (K.M.G.); (K.S.O.)
| | - Courtney J. Christopher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (C.J.C.); (H.F.C.); (S.R.C.)
| | - Hector F. Castro
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (C.J.C.); (H.F.C.); (S.R.C.)
- Biological and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Shawn R. Campagna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; (C.J.C.); (H.F.C.); (S.R.C.)
- Biological and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Christopher M. Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (C.M.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Meng Luo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (C.M.T.); (M.L.)
| | - Scot E. Dowd
- Molecular Research LP, 503 Clovis Rd, Shallowater, TX 79363, USA;
| | - Matthew Lee Smith
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 37916, USA;
- Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77807, USA
| | - Lauri O. Byerley
- Sports and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, American Public University System, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA; (K.M.G.); (K.S.O.)
- Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (L.O.B.); Tel.: +504-319-5828 (A.B.); +704-340-4482 (L.O.B.)
| |
Collapse
|