Researchers in the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Abbott And, the U.S. Air Force Research Lab announced the results of a new study which found a direct link between physical fitness, cognitive performance, and optimum nutrition. The scientists revealed that getting optimal nutrition not just fuels our own bodies and enhances fitness, but provides us an edge mentally, too.
The double-blind study examined the effectiveness of optimal nutrition and exercise to boost fitness and cognitive performance among a population of active-duty men and women in the U.S. Air Force. Researchers divided the 148 research participants into two groups for 12 weeks. Both groups performed the same training program, which included a balanced workout program comprised of resistance and aerobic training performed five times per week. Besides the coaching program, one group was provided a prototype nutritional beverage, another group received a placebo.
The study showed that exercise, along with a high-protein optimal nutrition drink containing lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, vitamin D, and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), led to statistically significant changes to the following compared to exercise alone.
- Increased working memory by 11% (i.e., data processing and problem-solving), which calls multitasking and is often diminished under stress
- Improved reaction time by 6 percent – participants became faster and more accurate
- Increased muscle mass by two or more pounds
- Lowered resting heart rate by 8 percent – a indication of improved cardiovascular fitness. Resting heart rate rose from 71 beats per minute to 65 beats per minute
“The physical and mental health benefits of exercise are well known, but this study demonstrates how optimal nutrition can help boost brain function as well,” said lead study author, Chris Zwilling, Ph.D, a postdoctoral researcher working with the study’s principal investigator Aron Barbey, Ph.D. at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois. “We are excited by the results because they provide critical insights into how simple dietary changes can make a big difference in helping people be as efficient and productive as possible in today’s world.”
FUELING BODY AND BRAIN
“Abbott has been researching the impact of nutrition on brain function for more than a decade,” said Matthew Kuchan, Ph.D., a research fellow and brain health scientist at Abbott and co-author of the study. “These results confirm that by combining the right nutrition and exercise, people who are facing high-pressure situations can stay sharp physically and mentally when they need it most.”
Abbott Research Fellow, Tapas Das, Ph.D., led the design of the innovative liquid optimal nutrition drink used in the analysis. It comprised DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, lutein, a carotenoid, in addition to phospholipids and micronutrients to support mental performance. The nourishment formula also contained protein, vitamin D, and HMB to encourage muscle health. Abbott will leverage the ingredients and results to design future nutritional products to permit individuals to live their lives to the fullest.
“It is clear that nutrition is a critical component for developing and maintaining the physical and cognitive performance of the men and women in the U.S. Air Force,” said Adam Strang, Ph.D., and lead investigator with the Air Force Research Laboratory. “This research confirms that a nutritional supplement with the right nutrients can support and facilitate those improvements when paired with balanced exercise training. We hope to use this knowledge now and, in the future, to better prepare them for the complex and diverse mission sets they are facing.”
PERFORM LIKE AN AIRMAN
Like U.S. Air Force personnel, healthy adults can prime their brains and bodies to work more efficiently and juggle multiple priorities:
- Muscle gains: Following a workout, make sure your muscles reap the Advantages by consuming foods rich in protein to help build muscle, like Lean meats and dairy, lettuce, lettuce, fortified milk, and egg yolks.
- Head your foods: Support multitasking and memory skills by adding more fatty fish like salmon and tuna can help tackle a developing to-do list
- Focus foods: Support information processing and problem-solving acumen by choosing for more lutein in meals. Yolks, dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and brightly colored Fruits and veggies, including bell peppers, carrots, corn, tomatoes, Sweet potatoes, peas, avocados, oranges, and melons
Related Journal Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-74140-7