Examining techniques for measuring the effects of nutrients on mental performance and mood state

Abstract

PurposeIntake of specific nutrients has been linked to mental states and various indices of cognitive performance although the effects are often subtle and difficult to interpret. Measurement of so-called objective variables (e.g. reaction times) is often considered to be the gold standard for assessing outcomes in this field of research. It can, however, be argued that data on subjective experience (e.g. mood) are also important and may enrich existing objective data. The aim of this review is to evaluate methods for measuring mental performance and mood, considering the definition of subjective mood and the validity of measures of subjective experience.MethodsA multi-stakeholder expert group was invited by ILSI Europe to come to a consensus around the utility of objective and subjective measurement in this field, which forms the basis of the paper. Therefore, the present review reflects a succinct overview of the science but is not intended to be a systematic review.ResultsThe proposed approach extends the traditional methodology using standard ‘objective’ measurements to also include the consumers’ subjective experiences in relation to food. Specific recommendations include 1) using contemporary methods to capture transient mood states; 2) using sufficiently sensitive measures to capture effects of nutritional intervention; 3) considering the possibility that subjective and objective responses will occur over different time frames; and 4) recognition of the importance of expectancy and placebo effects for subjective measures.ConclusionsThe consensus reached was that the most informative approach should involve collection and consideration of both objective and subjective data.

Concord grape juice, cognitive function, and driving performance: a 12-wk, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial in mothers of preteen children

“…This study phase effect was not exclusive to objective cognitive outcomes; higher ratings of alertness and concentration were reported during the first arm relative to the second arm (albeit only for the CGJ condition). It is perhaps not surprising that the alertness and conscientiousness of participants may decline over the course of a 28-wk trial, and it is entirely possible that these subjective effects have an impact on cognitive performance (39). This possibility further emphasizes the FIGURE 2 Tower of Hanoi completion time (s) for each condition and study phase (means 6 SEs).…”

Physiological responses to maximal eating in men

“…The scales were completed at baseline, immediately following cessation of the meal, and at 4 h following ingestion of the first bite. Appetite and mood ratings have previously been validated for use in nutrition research (11,12) .…”

The Relationship between Food Security Status and Sleep Disturbance among Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Indonesian Population

“…On the other hand, lower quality of sleep also causes greater neuronal activation in response to food stimuli, which results in increased motivation to seek food to achieve a high-energy intake, particularly by eating energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugar [66,69]. Food-insecure adults may have diets that are deficient in nutrients, such as folic acid and tryptophan [70,71], which could influence mood and immune functions [72][73][74], which, in turn, may have an effect on their sleep.…”