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Acute cocoa flavanol improves cerebral oxygenation without enhancing executive function at rest or after exercise
Lieselot Decroix1, Cajsa Tonoli1,2, Danusa D Soares3
1a Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Summary
Cocoa flavanols (CF) increased resting cerebral oxygenation but did not impact cognitive function or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Exercise enhanced cognitive function and cerebral hemodynamics, overriding any potential CF effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Acute exercise enhances cognitive function via increased cerebral blood flow and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
- Cocoa flavanols (CF) may also improve cognitive function, cerebral blood flow, and BDNF levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of CF intake and exercise on cognitive function.
- To examine cerebral hemodynamics and BDNF response to CF and exercise.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, crossover study with 12 healthy men.
- Cognitive task (CT) performance and prefrontal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for cerebral hemodynamics (ΔHbO2, ΔHHb, ΔHb tot) were assessed.
- Blood samples analyzed for BDNF, with interventions including 903-mg CF or placebo followed by a 30-min time-trial exercise.
Main Results:
- Exercise improved reaction time, but CF did not influence cognitive performance.
- CF intake increased resting cerebral oxygenation (ΔHbO2) but did not affect BDNF levels.
- Exercise significantly increased cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics, with no additive effect from CF during post-exercise cognitive tasks.
Conclusions:
- Acute cocoa flavanol intake enhances resting cerebral oxygenation but shows no significant impact on executive function or BDNF.
- Exercise-induced improvements in cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive function are substantial and may overshadow potential benefits from CF.
- Further research is needed to explore the synergistic effects of CF and exercise on neurocognitive outcomes.
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