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| Date: 09-30-2015 | HC# 091531-529 |
Veasey RC, Haskell-Ramsay CF, Kennedy DO, et al. The effects of supplementation with a vitamin and mineral complex with guaraná prior to fasted exercise on affect, exertion, cognitive performance, and substrate metabolism: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrients. 2015;7(8):6109-6127.
Many individuals exercise before breakfast. Such exercising in a fasting state can lead to increased mental fatigue after exercise. Supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral (MVM) complex, with and without additional herbal extracts, reportedly improves performance of behavioral tasks and increases alertness. Guaraná (Paullinia cupana, Sapindaceae), a common ingredient in energy drinks, has been shown to improve attention, memory, alertness, and contentment ratings. Its stimulant properties are usually attributed to the high caffeine content (2.5-5% of dry weight), as caffeine is known to modify cognitive function and mood state. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced, crossover study, these authors investigated the impact of Berocca® Boost (Bayer Consumer Care AG; Basel, Switzerland), a complex containing vitamins, minerals, and guaraná (MVM+G), consumed before exercise on cognitive performance and mood state before and after exercise, substrate metabolism during exercise, and post-exercise recovery. The authors hypothesized that MVM+G supplementation would reduce any cognitive and mood detriments created by exercising in a fasted state.
Students and faculty members at Northumbria University in Newcastle, England, were recruited via email. Of the 43 subjects enrolled in the study, 40 active males completed it. All were healthy and were not taking prescription medications, herbal extracts, or food supplements. The subjects, who exercised at least twice weekly, were able to run on a treadmill at a moderate pace for 30 minutes.
The study included 2 test days separated by a 7-day washout period. On each test day, the subjects consumed either MVM+G or placebo tablets dissolved in 250 mL of water.
Each MVM+G tablet contained 1.4 mg vitamin B1, 1.6 mg vitamin B2, 18 mg nicotinamide (vitamin B3), 6 mg pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), 2 mg vitamin B6, 150 µg biotin, 200 µg folic acid (vitamin B9), 1 µg vitamin B12, 60 mg vitamin C, 100 mg calcium, 100 mg magnesium, 9.5 mg zinc, and 222.2 mg guaraná (containing 40 mg caffeine). The placebo was referred to only as an "effervescent tablet."
Tasks on the University's Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System were administered 30, 75, and 150 minutes after treatment to assess secondary and working memory, attention, and decision-making. Among the other tools used were the Bond-Lader Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure alertness, calmness, and contentment; an energy VAS to measure concentration, physical stamina, and mental stamina; and tools to measure picture presentation, word presentation and immediate word recall, choice reaction time, rapid visual information processing, numeric working memory (NWM), delayed word recall, word recognition, and picture recognition.
Levels of arousal were measured using the Felt Arousal Scale (FAS), and pleasure and displeasure were measured on a Feeling Scale (FS).
As part of indirect calorimetry (Ica), expired air samples were collected at 9, 19, and 29 minutes during exercise to measure respiratory exchange ratio, oxygen uptake, and carbon dioxide production to calculate fat and carbohydrate oxidation, energy expenditure, and substrate metabolism.
At visit 1, each subject completed preliminary tests to first determine the relationship between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and running speed on a flat treadmill for 16 minutes. Next, each subject's VO2max was measured using a treadmill test during which the incline was increased until the subject reached exhaustion.
At visit 2 (at least 48 hours after visit 1), each subject completed a familiarization run to adjust running speed if necessary.
At visit 3 (at least 48 hours after visit 2), the subjects reported to the study site after fasting for at least 10 hours. Baseline cognitive and mood measurements were conducted before subjects consumed the intervention drink. After a 30-minute rest period, cognitive and mood measures were repeated before subjects ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes at 60% VO2max. After completing the cognitive tasks and mood assessments again, each subject rested for 60 minutes before completing the final cognition and mood assessment. Ica was conducted continuously throughout the exercise period. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), FAS, and FS ratings were recorded every 10 minutes during exercise, and FAS and FS were recorded at 45 and 75 minutes after exercise.
At least 7 days after visit 3, the subjects completed visit 4, identical to visit 3 except that each subject consumed the alternate drink.
The authors reported that no treatment effects over time were found for any of the variables.
Main treatment effects were observed for several variables. For NWM, better accuracy was seen following MVM+G consumption compared with placebo (P=0.001). For picture recognition, a faster reaction time was observed following consumption of MVM+G compared with placebo (P=0.0496). According to the authors, these results supported previous reports of increased brain activation associated with working memory and attention measured after MVM and MVM+G intake.
A main treatment effect for RPE during exercise revealed lower RPE after MVM+G consumption compared with placebo (P=0.023). "An obvious constituent of the treatment provided in the current study, which may have delivered this effect, is caffeine," write the authors, citing an earlier meta-analysis that attributed caffeine consumption to reduced RPE during exercise.1 Other studies suggest, however, that caffeine administered via guaraná may have different effects than when administered alone.2,3 A 33-day intervention with an MVM complex without guaraná was shown to increase vigor4 and physical stamina.5 "It is possible that both the vitamin/mineral and guaraná components of the supplement may have contributed to the effect we see on perceived exertion," write the authors.
The authors concluded that MVM+G consumed 1 hour before moderate-intensity exercise reduced feelings of exertion during exercise and improved cognitive performance up to 90 minutes after exercise.
Bayer Consumer Care AG funded the study; 2 of the authors (Wishart and Maggini) are employed by the company.
―Shari Henson
References
1Doherty M, Smith PM. Effects of caffeine ingestion on rating of perceived exertion during and after exercise: a meta-analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2005;15(2):69-78.
2Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Wesnes KA, Milne AL, Scholey AB. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans. J Psychopharmacol. 2007;21(1):65-70.
3Scholey A, Kennedy D, Wesnes K. The psychopharmacology of herbal extracts: issues and challenges. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005;179(3):705-707.
4Kennedy DO, Veasey R, Watson A, et al. Effects of high-dose B vitamin complex with vitamin C and minerals on subjective mood and performance in healthy males. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2010;211(1):55-68.
5Kennedy DO, Veasey RC, Watson AW, et al. Vitamins and psychological functioning: A mobile phone assessment of the effects of a B vitamin complex, vitamin C and minerals on cognitive performance and subjective mood and energy. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2011;26(4-5):338-347.
