Journal Article

Effectiveness of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum on Cognitive Function and Sleep Efficiency in Healthy Elderly Subjects in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Parallel-Group Study

Yuji Naito, Makoto Ozeki, Norio Sato, Aya Abe, Mahendra Parkash Kapoor, Tsuyoshi Takara, So Morishima

2024

Overview

The consumption of functional foods in a daily diet is a promising approach for the maintenance of cognitive health. The present study examines the effects of water-soluble prebiotic dietary-fiber, partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), on cognitive function and mental health in healthy elderly individuals. Participants consumed either 5 g/day of PHGG or a placebo daily for 12 weeks in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel-group study. An assessment of cognitive functions, sleep quality, and subjective mood evaluations was performed at baseline and after 8 and 12 weeks of either PHGG or placebo intake. The visual memory scores in cognitive function tests and sleepiness on rising scores related to sleep quality were significantly improved in the PHGG group compared to the placebo group. No significant differences were observed in mood parameters between the groups. Vigor–activity scores were significantly improved, while the scores for Confusion–Bewilderment decreased significantly in the PHGG group when compared to the baseline. In summary, supplementation with PHGG was effective in improving cognitive functions, particularly visual memory, as well as enhancing sleep quality and vitality in healthy elderly individuals (UMIN000049070).

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Affect - drug effects / Aged / Chronic illnesses / Clinical trials / cognition / Cognition - drug effects / Cognitive ability / Dementia / Dietary fiber / Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage / Dietary Fiber - pharmacology / Dietary Supplements / Double-Blind Method / elderly / emotions / Executive function / Fatty acids / Female / Food / Functional foods & nutraceuticals / Galactans - pharmacology / guar gum / Healthy Volunteers / Humans / Hydrolysis / Information processing / Lifestyles / Male / Mannans - administration & dosage / Mannans - pharmacology / Memory / Memory - drug effects / Mental health / Metabolites / Middle Aged / Older people / placebos / Plant Gums - pharmacology / Prebiotics / Prebiotics - administration & dosage / Probiotics / Quality of life / Sleep / Sleep - drug effects / Sleep Quality / water solubility