Relationship between whole grain consumption and selective attention

Abstract

IntroductionGreater habitual diet quality has been associated with weight regulation and reduced risk for chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and Type‐2 diabetes. Previous studies have outlined the role of markers of diet quality ‐ wholegrain consumption in particular ‐ in reducing the risk for these diseases. However, the role of wholegrain consumption in cognitive function remains unclear. Studying these relationships may contribute to the body of literature linking whole grain consumption to improved physical and mental health.MethodsAdults between 25–45 years (N=76, 32 males) reported their dietary intake using the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Diet History Questionnaire II (DHQII). Overall diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI‐2010) and whole grain consumption was measured using the whole grain component of the HEI‐2010. Selective attention was assessed using a modified Eriksen flanker task. Overall intellectual ability (IQ) and whole body adiposity (%Fat) was measured using the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, respectively.ResultsPartial correlations were conducted to examine relationships between whole grain consumption and flanker task variables following adjustment of age, sex, IQ, and total HEI‐2010 score. Whole grain consumption was positively related to accuracy in the both the congruent (r=0.37, P<0.01) and incongruent task conditions (r=0.28, P=0.02). Further, although no significant relationships were observed for mean response time (all Ps> 0.26), greater whole grain component scores were related to lower intraindividual variability (coefficient of variation) in reaction time during the incongruent (r=−0.33, P<0.01) but not congruent condition (r=−0.18, P=0.13).ConclusionThese data indicate that individuals with greater whole grain intake exhibited superior selective attention, as indicated by higher response accuracy and reduced variability in response time. Given that these relationships persisted even after adjusting for overall diet quality and important health and demographic factors provides support for the selective importance of whole grain intake for cognitive function. Future experimental studies are necessary to determine the impact of changes in whole grain intake on changes in cognitive function.Support or Funding InformationFunded by the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois and the Hass Avocado Board.