The team from Northumbria University in Newcastle are examining resveratrol, which is found in red wine, and its effect on blood flow. According to a report in the independentuk, an online website, the researchers believe the substance may boost mental function by increasing blood flow to the brain and wants to test the theory with the help of healthy volunteer subjects. Resveratrol is part of a group of compounds called polyphenols.
They are thought to act like antioxidants, protecting the body against damage that can put you at higher risk for things like cancer and heart disease. It is in the skin of red grapes, but can also be found in peanuts and berries.
A study on people aged 18 to 35 has already been carried out, with some participants demonstrating improved performance when their mental function was tested. However, positive results have not been consistent.
The researchers believe this may be due to studies’ tendency to focus on young healthy populations already at the peak of their mental performance. They believe a stronger correlation indicating a more pronounced benefit may be found with older participants.
The university, based in Newcastle, is now looking for healthy male or female participants aged between 50-70 years to assess the effects of resveratrol. Meanwhile, a second study, aiming to investigate resveratrol’s effect at altitude is also underway and requires younger volunteers.
Using Northumbria University’s state-of-theart environmental chamber, which can simulate the physical effects of a range of temperatures and altitudes, the researchers will assess how participants aged 18 to 35 years perform mentally demanding tasks. They will then test to see if any resulting impairments can be overcome by consuming resveratrol.
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