US Air Force recruits’ physical and cognitive abilities boosted by Abbott’s beverage, study finds

21 Oct 2020 --- A high-protein beverage containing a broad range of other nutrients boosted physical and cognitive performance in active duty men and women in the US Air Force.

Abbott – which carried out the study in collaboration with the US Air Force and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign – says this shows how the right nutrition can help people stay sharp in high-pressure situations.

“We hope these findings will increase the focus on how a healthy diet, or well-constructed supplement for people on-the-go, can benefit both the body and mind for busy, stressed people,” Dr. Matt Kuchan, a research fellow and brain health scientist at Abbott and study co-author, tells NutritionInsight.

“This is especially true as our society ages since boosting cognitive function may help delay decline as we age – something we all want,” he adds. Abbott will leverage these results and ingredients to design future nutritional products to allow individuals to “live their lives to the fullest.”

The drink, which contains lutein, omega 3 fatty acids, phospholipids, vitamin D and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), was developed by Abbott. 

Shaping NPD
The company says it will leverage the results and ingredients to design future nutritional products to allow individuals to “live their lives to the fullest.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Adam Strang, lead investigator with the Air Force Research Laboratory, will use the research to better prepare Air Force employees for the complex and diverse mission sets they are facing. 

The study showed that exercise, along with the addition of the nutrition beverage, led to statistically significant changes to the following compared to exercise alone.

• Improved working memory by 11 percent. This involves information processing and problem-solving, which are linked with multitasking and are often impaired under stress.
• Improved reaction time by 6 percent. Participants became faster and more accurate.
• Increased muscle mass by more than 2 lb. 
• Lowered resting heart rate by 8 percent. This is a sign of increased cardiovascular fitness. Resting heart rate improved from 71 beats per minute to 65 beats per minute.

Results beyond expectations
The double-blind study saw 148 study participants split into two groups for 12 weeks. 

Both groups performed the same training program, which included a balanced exercise program comprised of aerobic and resistance training performed five days per week. 

One group was also given a prototype nutritional drink while the other group received a placebo.

The nutrient blend was selected due to its ability to support muscle and brain function. 

However, the real test was measuring the impact of these nutrients above and beyond the benefits gained from the intense exercise program alone, says Kuchan.

“As nutrition and cognition discovery scientists, we knew these nutrients had strong potential, but the results ultimately exceeded our expectations. Exercise has such strong effects on our muscles and brain that often it’s not easy for other factors to outperform it,” he adds. Exercise helps each of the nutrients and the inner development of the brain work even better.

Nutrients for brain health
Kuchan details that the brain needs a constant supply of numerous nutrients that serve as critical building blocks for tissue structures, enzymes, proteins and even membranes. These all work hard during multitasking and activities that require focus.

“Proper nutrition is important as it ensures that each part of the brain – from its structures to its enzymes – is working well. Exercise helps each of the nutrients and the inner development of the brain work even better.”

Furthermore, brains are subject to natural decline from ages 50 to 80. During this time, most adults lose 20 percent of their working memory, says Kuchan. 

As a result, industry has been proliferating with ways to tackle this, including Evolva’s backing of research into resveratrol. Mars Edge recently added Memory+ to its CocoaVia line. 

“Since our findings show that targeted nutrition provides a physical and mental edge in a diverse Air Force population, more research could be done to study its benefits for everyday busy, multitasking people under stress,” Kuchan concludes. 

By Katherine Durrell, with additional reporting by Kristiana Lalou