Journal
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Volume 76, Issue 1-2, Pages 83-90Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.06.003
Keywords
carbohydrates; tryptophan; 5-HT; stress; performance; mood
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Although glucose intake has been associated with enhanced mental performance, this does not follow a clear synchronized relationship and findings are inconsistent. Given the brain's need for glucose during demanding conditions, glucose intake may be beneficial for stress performance. Brain serotonin may be involved as a postprandial mechanism initiated by increases in plasma tryptophan to the sum of the other large neutral amino acids (Trp/LNAA ratio). We tested whether carbohydrate drinks compared to placebo drinks increase the plasma Trp/LNAA ratio and improve stress performance and mood. Thirty-seven healthy subjects were monitored in a double-blind placebo-controlled study for performance when continuously exposed to cold pressor stress; 2 h after carbohydrate- or placebo-intake. Cold pressor stress significantly increased cortisol and reduced mood and cognitive performance, whereas carbohydrates significantly increased plasma Trp/LNAA and positively influenced performance and mood under stress. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.
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