Phytochemicals to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: Optimizing cognitive performance and preventing cognitive impairments that result from exposure to high-stress situations are important to ensure mission-readiness for military personnel. Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for plant-based foods and beverages, or their phytochemical constituents, across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations to develop research recommendations for the military. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Study Selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language were eligible. Data Extraction: Twenty-five trials were included and assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted. Data Synthesis: The acceptable (n = 16) to high-quality (n = 4) studies produced either no statistically significant effect or mixed results for enhancing cognitive function. Conclusions: The evidence suggested that healthy populations do not experience significant changes in cognitive performance when consuming soy- and non-soy-sourced isoflavones or cocoa. Heterogeneity among other interventions precluded reaching formal conclusions surrounding the evidence. Research recommendations are offered, including conducting more studies on the effect of plant-based interventions on populations reflective of military populations when exposed to military-like situations.

Caffeine to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: In 2001 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report on the use of caffeine during sustained military operations in which recommendations for research and practice were made. Objective: This systematic review serves as an update on the current quality of the evidence and addresses gaps in the current literature surrounding the effects of caffeinated foods and beverages on cognitive functioning in healthy adult populations exposed to military-like moderators. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Study Selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language since 1998 were eligible. Data Extraction: Twenty-five trials were included and assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted according to each military-like moderator identified. Data Synthesis: Moderators included sleep deprivation (n = 17), physical or mental exertion (n = 4), sleep deprivation combined with a sustained military operation (n = 3), and physical exertion combined with low ambient temperature (n = 1). Conclusions: The effects of caffeine supplementation on cognitive functioning in sleep-deprived subjects included improvements in attention and vigilance, complex reaction time, and problem solving and reasoning in the trials reviewed. These findings are consistent with the conclusions reached in the 2001 IOM report. This review contributes to the field by addressing gaps outlined in the IOM report.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: There has been interest in identifying whether nutrients might help optimize cognitive performance, especially for the military tasked with ensuring mission-readiness. Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations in order to develop research recommendations concerning n-3 PUFAs for mission-readiness. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Study Selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language were eligible. Data Extraction: Thirteen included trials were assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted. Data Synthesis: Of the acceptable-quality (n = 8) and high-quality (n = 1) studies, 2 produced no statistically significant results, 5 produced mixed results, and 2 did not report between-group results. Conclusions: Results indicate that ingestion of n-3 PUFAs does not significantly alter cognitive performance in cognitively healthy persons. Studies exposing subjects to adverse circumstances that would be most relevant for drawing conclusions specifically for the military population are lacking. Several research recommendations are offered to enhance understanding of the role of fatty acids on cognitive functioning.

Whole dietary patterns to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field.

Context: Optimizing cognitive performance, particularly during times of high stress, is a prerequisite to mission-readiness among military personnel. It has been of interest to determine whether such performance could be enhanced through diet. Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for whole dietary patterns across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations to develop research recommendations for the military. Data Sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Study Selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language were eligible. Data Extraction: Fifteen included trials were assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted. Data Synthesis: Of the 6 acceptable-quality studies, 1 demonstrated statistically nonsignificant results, whereas the other 5 showed conflicting results across the cognitive outcomes assessed. Conclusions: Due to the heterogeneity across the included studies, no recommendations could be reached concerning whether certain whole dietary patterns have an effect on cognitive outcomes in healthy populations. Specific recommendations for future research are offered.