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Macronutrient intake is associated with intelligence and neural development in adolescents
Yuko Nakamura1,2, Syudo Yamasaki3, Naohiro Okada4,5
1Center for Evolutionary Cognitive Sciences, Graduate School of Art and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|May 6, 2024
Summary
Adolescent protein intake is linked to higher intelligence in boys, while reduced carbohydrate intake is associated with higher intelligence in girls. Macronutrient balance is crucial for cognitive and neural development during this critical life stage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nutritional Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for cognitive and neural development.
- Nutritional factors, particularly macronutrient intake, significantly influence this development.
- Understanding these influences is vital for lifelong cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between macronutrient intake and intelligence quotient (IQ).
- To examine the impact of nutrition on neural development using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- To explore the relationship between diet, brain function, and cognitive abilities in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted using data from the Tokyo TEEN Cohort (TTC).
- Study 1 analyzed macronutrient intake and IQ in 1,734 adolescents.
- Study 2 used resting-state fMRI and graph theory analysis on 63 adolescents to assess neural development and nutrition.
Main Results:
- Higher IQ in boys correlated with increased protein intake; in girls, higher IQ correlated with reduced carbohydrate intake.
- Impaired local efficiency in the left inferior frontal gyrus was linked to higher carbohydrate and fat intake.
- Increased betweenness centrality in the left middle temporal gyrus was associated with higher intake of carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
Conclusions:
- Macronutrient intake is significantly associated with neural development and intelligence in early adolescents.
- Specific nutrient patterns correlate with distinct brain network properties and cognitive functions.
- Optimizing nutritional intake is essential for supporting healthy adolescent brain development and cognitive function.
Keywords:
adolescentsintelligencemacronutrient intakeneural developmentresting-state functional magnetic resonance imagingMore Related Videos
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