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Open Access 01-04-2022 | Original Contribution

Impact of lunch with carbohydrates differing in glycemic index on children's cognitive functioning in the late postprandial phase: a randomized crossover study

Authors: Alina Drozdowska, Kathrin Sinningen, Michael Falkenstein, Henrik Rudolf, Lars Libuda, Anette E. Buyken, Thomas Lücke, Mathilde Kersting

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Studies about effects of lunch dietary Glycemic Index (GI) on cognition of schoolchildren are scarce. Our previous CogniDo GI study found no changes of cognition in the early postprandial phase after consumption of two rice types with medium vs. high dietary GI for lunch (i.e., 45 min after starting lunch). This study investigated whether the dietary GI of lunch has an impact on cognition of schoolchildren in the late postprandial phase, 90 min after lunch.

Methods

A randomized, 2 × 2 crossover intervention study was conducted at a comprehensive school with 5th and 6th grade students. Participants (n = 212) were randomly assigned to either sequence 1 or 2. In the first period, participants of sequence 1 received a dish with high GI rice (GI: 79), those of sequence 2 with medium GI rice (GI: 64)—in the second period, 1 week later, vice versa. Computer-based cognitive testing was performed 90 min after lunch examining tonic alertness, visual search and task switching, and working memory. Treatment effects and treatment effects adjusted for estimated lunch glycemic load (GL) were analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results

The selected cognitive parameters were not affected by the GI of lunch 90 min after lunch, neither after intention-to-treat nor in the per-protocol analysis. Adjustment for GL also did not change results.

Conclusion

The present study revealed no notable differences after the consumption of two rice types with medium vs. high dietary GI for lunch in children’s cognitive function in the late postprandial phase, 90 min after lunch.

Clinical trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00013597); date of registration: 16/04/2018, retrospectively registered.

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Title: Impact of lunch with carbohydrates differing in glycemic index on children's cognitive functioning in the late postprandial phase: a randomized crossover study
Authors: Alina Drozdowska
Kathrin Sinningen
Michael Falkenstein
Henrik Rudolf
Lars Libuda
Anette E. Buyken
Thomas Lücke
Mathilde Kersting
Publication date: 01-04-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02766-y

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical trial registration

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