Effects of a Single Dose of Wild Blueberries on Mood and Executive Function in Healthy Emerging Adults

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Affect; Mood; Executive Function
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Blueberry drink; Dietary Supplement: Placebo drink

• Registration Number: NCT05717452
• Lead Sponsor: University of Reading

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate whether consuming a drink containing powdered blueberries (equivalent to 150 g of fresh fruit) can improve mood and executive function in healthy emerging adults.

Detailed Description

The present study will examine the psychological effects of a single dose of freeze-dried wild blueberries using a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled design. A total of 80 participants will be randomly allocated to consume either a drink prepared with 22 g blueberry powder or a drink prepared with 22 g placebo powder matched for macronutrients, flavour and colour.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-01-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-01-28
• Status Verified: 2023-02
• Study Start: 2023-02-01
• Study First Posted: 2023-02-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-02-09
• Last Update Posted: 2023-02-13
• Primary Completion: 2023-04-30
• Study Completion: 2023-04-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• 18 to 25 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

• Any medically significant condition or mental health disorder (e.g. diabetes, endocrine or gastrointestinal disorders)
• Taking medication (excluding hormonal contraception or medication for asthma/seasonal allergies)
• Allergy to blueberries or any other Vaccinium species

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Blueberry drink	Blueberry drink	-
Placebo drink	Placebo drink	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Positive affect as measured by PANAS-X	1.5 hours post-ingestion	Positive affect will be calculated by adding the values of the 21 positive items of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-X and the additional item "motivated". Thus, the scale will range from 0 to 88 points with higher scores indicating better mood.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reaction time	1.5 hours post-ingestion	The average reaction time on correct trials of the task-switching test (in milliseconds).
Executive function (accuracy)	1.5 hours post-ingestion	A task-switching test will be used to assess cognitive flexibility when switching between two predictable tasks requiring simple numerical decisions. The main outcome of interest is the average accuracy (0 to 100%).
Negative affect as measured by PANAS-X	1.5 hours post-ingestion	Negative affect will be calculated by adding the values of the 25 negative items of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-X. Thus, the scale will range from 0 to 100 points with higher scores indicating worse mood.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

School of Psychology and Clinical Languages, University of Reading; 🇬🇧 Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom