Brainiac Foods endorses cognitive health enhancement with novel smart snacks for kids

07 Jun 2024 --- Endorsed by pediatricians, neurologists, nutrition scientists and dietitians, healthy snack brand Brainiac Foods has launched a new range of fruit snacks for children in sour apple, berry blast and tropical tango flavors. In addition, the company is introducing its smart packs in mixed berry and tropical flavors.

The snacks are packed with omega-3s, choline and lutein, which are known to support cognitive function and overall mental fitness. It’s all about smart snacking; a slight change in what children munch on throughout the day can help boost brain power.

Omega-3s such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are critical components in brain and nerve cells. Choline is the crucial ingredient in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which enables the brain’s neurons to communicate; lutein is a key building block of the optic nerves, which powers vision. According to Brainiac, good nutrition and genes impact brain development and are the foundation for future learning, behavior and health.

Smart snacking
To demonstrate its point about the cognitive benefits of omega-3s, the company puts forward a recent study by researchers from the University of Warwick, UK, and Fudan University, China, featuring roughly 181,990 participants who observed the importance of the connection between a balanced diet for cognitive functions and mental well-being.

The study published in nature mental health found that people who follow a balanced diet had the least mental health issues and had more gray matter in their brains — a vital component for processing information. 

The researchers investigated naturally developed dietary patterns based on food-liking data. One hundred forty food and beverage items were classified into ten categories, and principal component analysis was performed separately for each category.

They applied data-driven approaches to food-liking data to identify four dietary subtypes — “starch-free or reduced-starch,” “vegetarian,” “high protein and low fiber” and “balanced” — that vary in diverse brain health domains.

Individuals with a balanced diet displayed better mental health and superior cognitive functioning. Subtypes 3 and 4 showed lower gray matter volumes in the postcentral gyrus, while subtypes 2 showed higher volumes in the thalamus and precuneus.Apple features significantly in Brainiac Foods offerings.

Facts about food preferences
An important finding of the study is that food preferences impact brain structure. The researchers observed that people with specific food preferences displayed distinct patterns of brain magnetic resonance imaging traits. The differential brain structural patterns could be essential in shaping cognitive function and mental health outcomes.  

Dietary choices can influence the brain’s plasticity and adaptability, leading to structural changes that influence cognitive function and mental health. The study results suggest a directional relationship between mental health and cognitive function. 

Furthermore, mental health impacts cognitive ability and is influenced by brain structure. According to the researchers, the intricate interplay between these factors underscores the importance of studying mental health as a crucial determinant of understanding brain health and cognitive performance.

The study observed significant differences in mental health and cognitive function in the subtypes. Subtype 2 participants, particularly those who consumed more vegetables and fruit, showed higher mental health scores.

Meanwhile, a new publication by the Gerontological Society of America, “Insights and Implications in Gerontology: The Vital Role of Nutrition in Brain Health,” evaluated critical nutritional choices that enhance cognition and decrease the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in later life.

Development phases of the brain
According to Brainiac, millions of neural connections are formed each second as the brain develops from birth and continues well into puberty. Complex brain function and efficiency are strengthened during adulthood and can be trained well into seniority.

The company’s smart fruit snacks provide children with the necessary fatty acids that ensure normal development. Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA (found in fish and algal oil) and ALA (found in flax and chia seeds) are the building blocks of brain cells. Choline, present in the snacks, is a critical component for connecting the brain’s information pathways, while the antioxidant lutein supports a healthy brain and vision.

Additional ingredients found in Brainiac snacks include chicory root, organic oats, organic puffed quinoa, pea syrup, organic black chia seeds, agave fiber, pea crisps, dark chocolate, cinnamon and American apples.

In addition, FrieslandCampina Ingredients launched Biotis DHA FlexP 15 and Biotis DHA FlexP 20, two new algae-based, microencapsulated DHA powders for brain health. These powders are suitable for vegan and vegetarian formulations of food, drinks and supplements. DHA has also been linked to eye and cardiovascular health.

By Inga de Jong