Drinking flavonoid-rich orange juice boosts brain health

Chronic consumption of fruit-based flavonoids has been associated with cognitive benefits, and a new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition suggests the consumption of flavonoid-rich orange juice can acutely enhance objective and subjective cognition over the course of six hours in healthy middle-aged adults.

Researchers at the University of Reading investigated whether consumption of flavonoid-rich orange juice is associated with acute cognitive benefits over six hours in healthy middle-aged adults. For the study, males aged 30 to 65 years consumed a 240-ml flavonoid-rich orange juice (272 mg) and a calorie-matched placebo in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced order on two days separated by a two-week washout. Cognitive function and subjective mood were assessed at baseline (prior to drink consumption) and two and 6 hours post consumption. The cognitive battery included eight individual cognitive tests. A standardized breakfast was consumed prior to the baseline measures, and a standardized lunch was consumed three hours post-drink consumption.

Change from baseline analysis revealed that performance on tests of executive function and psychomotor speed was significantly better following the flavonoid-rich drink compared to the placebo. The effects of objective cognitive function were supported by significant benefits for subjective alertness following the flavonoid-rich drink relative to the placebo. The researchers concluded the consumption of flavonoid-rich orange juice can acutely enhance objective and subjective cognition over the course of six hours in healthy middle-aged adults.

In December 2015, a separate study by the University of Leeds found drinking Concord grape juice daily can benefit certain aspects of memory and everyday tasks in people with stressful lifestyles—specifically working mothers.