Abstract
- Purpose of the Review
Accumulating clinical trial evidence suggests that dietary anthocyanins—potent flavonoid antioxidants abundant in dark berries and pigmented fruits—may enhance cognitive performance and psychological well-being. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively identify and quantify the effects of anthocyanin supplementation on cognitive domains and mood states in adult human populations.
- Recent Findings
A systematic search and qualitative synthesis across 30 randomized controlled trials were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42021279470). Qualitative synthesis of the literature revealed consistent improvements across multiple cognitive domains following anthocyanin intake, including short-term memory, verbal learning, working memory, executive function, visual-spatial function, psychomotor skills, attention, and semantic memory. Furthermore, four out of fifteen studies documented significant mood enhancements, characterized by anti-fatigue effects and reductions in anxiety and depression scores. However, quantitative meta-analytic pooling of eligible data from fourteen studies ($n = 733$ participants) using a random-effects model (Hedges's $g$) revealed no statistically significant aggregate effects for specific cognitive subdomains, including working memory (Hedges's $g = -0.183$, 95% CI: $-0.407$ to $0.041$, $P = 0.110$), verbal learning (Hedges's $g = 0.054$, 95% CI: $-0.215$ to $0.324$, $P = 0.690$), immediate memory (Hedges's $g = 0.196$, 95% CI: $-0.242$ to $0.633$, $P = 0.380$), and delayed memory (Hedges's $g = -0.188$, 95% CI: $-0.629$ to $-0.252$, $P = 0.402$), likely reflecting significant methodological heterogeneity across the trials.
- Summary
Current clinical literature indicates potential cognitive and mood-enhancing benefits associated with dietary anthocyanin intake. Nevertheless, quantitative meta-analysis of fourteen eligible randomized controlled trials showed no statistically significant pooled effects on working, immediate, or delayed memory, nor on verbal learning, underscoring the influence of trial heterogeneity. Critical recommendations for standardizing future study designs are discussed to resolve inconsistencies and validate cognitive outcomes.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13668-024-00595-z