New clinical evidence helps explain how soluble corn fibre may support cognitive function

A new peer-reviewed study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and part-funded by Tate & Lyle may shed light on how soluble corn fibre could support cognitive function. Via a randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial of healthy middle-aged and older adults, researchers found that daily intake of soluble corn fibre significantly improved focus and boosted gut bacteria in ways that may support brain function. 

Researchers aimed to test whether soluble dietary fibre, known to support gastrointestinal and physical health, could also improve cognitive performance by changing the gut microbiota. The study evaluated the effects of soluble corn fibre on cognitive performance, gut microbiota composition and the substances the bacteria produce, to identify changes in the gut environment affecting cognitive function. 

Over four weeks, 42 participants consumed soluble corn fibre daily and carried out tests to measure their memory and ability to focus attention. Researchers found that soluble corn fibre consumption led to selectively improved response times during tests compared with the control. They also sound it increased the abundance of parabacteroides, which are bacteria that have been linked to possible anti-inflammatory effects, gut barrier protection and gut-derived compounds that could be relevant to gut-brain communication and health outcomes [1].

The peer-reviewed study has been published in The Journal of Nutrition and was part-funded by Tate & Lyle.