Three Months Oral Supplementation of a Unique Polyphenol Mixture Improves Physical and Neurocognitive Performance Indicators in Sedentary Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of three months of oral supplementation of a unique polyphenol mixture on physical and neurocognitive performance indicators in sedentary adults. METHODS: 51 sedentary adults (age=48.4 ± 8.3y, mass: 84.2 ± 31.3kg) were randomly assigned to receive a unique polyphenol mixture (containing Resveratrol, Quercertin, and mixed concentrated red grape skin polyphenols) supplement (UPM) or a Placebo (PLA) for three months. Subjects performed an incremental cycling test and a standardized commercially available neurocognitive test (ImPACT®) prior to and following supplementation. Subjects pedaled at 60 revolutions per minute (rpm) on an ergometer with an initial workload of 50 Watts (W) while heart rate was continuously recorded. Workload was increased 25W every three minutes until subjects reached volitional exhaustion. ImPACT® test questions were randomly selected to minimize inter-session learning effects. Group differences between baseline and follow-up values were determined using univariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: UPM had statistically significant lower heart rate at a 75W (net change: UPM=0.7, PLA=9.2 beats.min−1, p=0.029, n=42). There was a non-significant trend for UPM to have a decreased heart rate at 100W (net change: UPM=−2.5, PLA=3.3 beats.min−1, p=0.150, n=27) and 125W (net change: UPM=−4.6, PLA=1.6 beats.min−1, p=0.274, n=15). UPM had statistically significant improvements in verbal memory score compared to placebo (change in score: UPM=6.03 ± 11.14%, PLA=−3.24 ± 6.61%, p=0.005). DISCUSSION: These data strongly suggest 3-months of oral supplementation with this unique polyphenol mixture may improve sub-maximal aerobic and neurocognitive performance in sedentary adults. Lack of statistical significance at higher workloads is likely due to insufficient data, due to subjects reaching volitional exhaustion before completing these stages. Further research is needed to greater define the specific effects of this unique polyphenol mixture on physical and neurocognitive performance on a variety of human populations.