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Acute effects of nitrate and breakfast on working memory, cerebral blood flow, arterial stiffness, and psychological factors in adolescents : Study protocol for a randomised crossover trial

Authors :
Regan, Callum
Heiland, Emerald G.
Ekblom, Örjan
Tarassova, Olga
Kjellenberg, Karin
Larsen, Filip J.
Walltott, Hedda
Fernström, Maria
Nyberg, Gisela
Ekblom, Maria M.
Helgadóttir, Björg
Regan, Callum
Heiland, Emerald G.
Ekblom, Örjan
Tarassova, Olga
Kjellenberg, Karin
Larsen, Filip J.
Walltott, Hedda
Fernström, Maria
Nyberg, Gisela
Ekblom, Maria M.
Helgadóttir, Björg
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Background Inorganic nitrate has been shown to acutely improve working memory in adults, potentially by altering cerebral and peripheral vasculature. However, this remains unknown in adolescents. Furthermore, breakfast is important for overall health and psychological well-being. Therefore, this study will investigate the acute effects of nitrate and breakfast on working memory performance, task-related cerebral blood flow (CBF), arterial stiffness, and psychological outcomes in Swedish adolescents. Methods This randomised crossover trial will recruit at least 43 adolescents (13–15 years old). There will be three experimental breakfast conditions: (1) none, (2) low-nitrate (normal breakfast), and (3) high-nitrate (concentrated beetroot juice with normal breakfast). Working memory (n-back tests), CBF (task-related changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity and augmentation index) will be measured twice, immediately after breakfast and 130 min later. Measures of psychological factors and salivary nitrate/nitrite will be assessed once before the conditions and at two-time points after the conditions. Discussion This study will provide insight into the acute effects of nitrate and breakfast on working memory in adolescents and to what extent any such effects can be explained by changes in CBF. This study will also shed light upon whether oral intake of nitrate may acutely improve arterial stiffness and psychological well-being, in adolescents. Consequently, results will indicate if nitrate intake from beetroot juice or if breakfast itself could acutely improve cognitive, vascular, and psychological health in adolescents, which can affect academic performance and have implications for policies regarding school meals. Trial registration The trial has been prospectively registered on 21/02/2022 at https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16596056. Trial number: ISRCTN16596056.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
application/pdf, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1399994260
Document Type :
Electronic Resource
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371.journal.pone.0285581