Acute Benefits of Acidified Milk Drinks with 10-g and 15-g Protein on Shifting and Updating Performances in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Accumulating evidence has shown that protein-rich milk drinks can rapidly improve cognitive performance. However, the optimum doses of milk protein that are needed to improve cognitive function remain to be investigated. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether acidified milk drinks with 10-g and 15-g milk protein have acute benefits on key cognitive functions in healthy young adults. Design: In this double-blinded randomized control trial, 66 young adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups (0-g, 10-g, and 15-g milk protein groups). Key cognitive functions (processing speed, inhibition, shifting, updating, and working memory capacity) were assessed before and 15 and 60 min after the drink intake. Results: We found that the shifting performance improved at 15 min after intake of the acidified 10-g and 15-g milk protein drinks compared to intake of the 0-g milk protein drink, and this acute effect of the acidified 15-g milk protein drink lasted for 60 min. In addition, updating performance improved at 60 min after intake of the acidified 10-g and 15-g milk protein drinks compared to intake of the 0-g milk protein drink. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the acidified 10-g and 15-g milk protein drinks have an acute benefit on shifting and updating performance in healthy young adults.

Cacao Polyphenol-Rich Dark Chocolate Intake Contributes to Efficient Brain Activity during Cognitive Tasks: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Crossover, and Dose-Comparison fMRI Study

“…Thus, while it could have been possible to visually control the appearance of the chocolate, the taste would still have significantly compromised blinding. Additionally, milk-derived ingredients of white chocolate, such as milk protein, are known to affect cognitive function and mood states [ 61 , 62 ]. Another limitation is that the contributions of other HC chocolate ingredients such as caffeine and theobromine remain unclear in isolation from those of higher cacao polyphenols levels.…”

Cognition and nutrition: the role of dietary protein and amino acids in cognitive health

“…Intriguingly, research on the acute effect on cognitive function has also begun. In a double-blinded randomized control trial involving 66 young adults, this study examined the immediate impacts of acidified milk drinks containing varying levels of milk protein (0, 10, and 15 g) on cognitive functions [16]. Results revealed that consumption of the 10-g and 15-g protein drinks enhanced shifting performance 15 min post intake compared to the 0-g protein drink, with the effects of the 15-g drink lasting for 60 min.…”