Effects of fortified electrolyte drink on cognitive, mood, and nutritional parameters: a randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Electrolyte drinks contain charged minerals and are easily accessible in the market. It has become popular for the food and beverage industry to add nutrients and/or active ingredients to electrolyte drinks and market them as functional beverages. This study aims to determine the interactive effects of electrolyte drinks added caffeine, glucose, and B-group vitamins (FED) on cognitive, mood index, and nutritional parameters. A total of 34 university students participated in this randomised, single-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Participants in the intervention group consumed 500 mL of FED, while participants in the control group consumed 500 mL of an electrolyte drink (ED). Baseline and post-intervention data on cognitive performance, mood index, blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, and urine specific gravity were measured. Results indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) in post-intervention cognitive performance scores for simple reaction time, choice reaction time, verbal paired associates, visual paired associates, and digit symbol matching between the FED and ED groups. Levels of fatigue, confusion, and total mood disturbance (TMD) were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by 46.50%, 62.75%, and 9.54%, respectively, following FED consumption. Post-intervention data indicated no differences between the FED and ED groups in blood pressure, heart rate, and urine specific gravity, except for the blood glucose parameter, in which the blood glucose level of the FED group was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of the ED group. This study indicates that FED consumed in a realistic dose can reduce fatigue, confusion, and TMD. Further studies with a higher caffeine dosage, but within the safe range, could be conducted to investigate the cognitive enhancement potential of FED.