TY - JOUR

T1 - The impact of diet-based glycaemic response and glucose regulation on cognition

T2 - evidence across the lifespan

AU - Sünram-Lea, Sandra I.

AU - Owen, Lauren

N1 - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/impact-of-dietbased-glycaemic-response-and-glucose-regulation-on-cognition-evidence-across-the-lifespan/76A622C316C2C1DC34D9D9FB0F6653B0 The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76 (4), pp 466-477 2017, © 2017 Cambridge University Press.

PY - 2017/11

Y1 - 2017/11

N2 - The brain has a high metabolic rate and its metabolism is almost entirely restricted to oxidative utilisation of glucose. These factors emphasise the extreme dependence of neural tissue on a stable and adequate supply of glucose. Whereas initially it was thought that only glucose deprivation (i.e. under hypoglycaemic conditions) can affect brain function, it has become apparent that low-level fluctuations in central availability can affect neural and consequently, cognitive performance. In the present paper the impact of diet-based glycaemic response and glucose regulation on cognitive processes across the lifespan will be reviewed. The data suggest that although an acute rise in blood glucose levels has some short-term improvements of cognitive function, a more stable blood glucose profile, which avoids greater peaks and troughs in circulating glucose is associated with better cognitive function and a lower risk of cognitive impairments in the longer term. Therefore, a habitual diet that secures optimal glucose delivery to the brain in the fed and fasting states should be most advantageous for the maintenance of cognitive function. Although the evidence to date is promising, it is insufficient to allow firm and evidence-based nutritional recommendations. The rise in obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in recent years highlights the need for targeted dietary and lifestyle strategies to promote healthy lifestyle and brain function across the lifespan and for future generations. Consequently, there is an urgent need for hypothesis-driven, randomised controlled trials that evaluate the role of different glycaemic manipulations on cognition.

AB - The brain has a high metabolic rate and its metabolism is almost entirely restricted to oxidative utilisation of glucose. These factors emphasise the extreme dependence of neural tissue on a stable and adequate supply of glucose. Whereas initially it was thought that only glucose deprivation (i.e. under hypoglycaemic conditions) can affect brain function, it has become apparent that low-level fluctuations in central availability can affect neural and consequently, cognitive performance. In the present paper the impact of diet-based glycaemic response and glucose regulation on cognitive processes across the lifespan will be reviewed. The data suggest that although an acute rise in blood glucose levels has some short-term improvements of cognitive function, a more stable blood glucose profile, which avoids greater peaks and troughs in circulating glucose is associated with better cognitive function and a lower risk of cognitive impairments in the longer term. Therefore, a habitual diet that secures optimal glucose delivery to the brain in the fed and fasting states should be most advantageous for the maintenance of cognitive function. Although the evidence to date is promising, it is insufficient to allow firm and evidence-based nutritional recommendations. The rise in obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in recent years highlights the need for targeted dietary and lifestyle strategies to promote healthy lifestyle and brain function across the lifespan and for future generations. Consequently, there is an urgent need for hypothesis-driven, randomised controlled trials that evaluate the role of different glycaemic manipulations on cognition.

KW - Ageing

KW - Cognition

KW - Glucose

KW - Glycaemic index

KW - Glycaemic response

U2 - 10.1017/S0029665117000829

DO - 10.1017/S0029665117000829

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85021302501

VL - 76

SP - 466

EP - 477

JO - Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

JF - Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

SN - 0029-6651

IS - 4

ER -