Plant-based dietary quality and depressive symptoms in Australian vegans and vegetarians: A cross-sectional study

Plant-based dietary patterns (vegan and vegetarian) are often considered ‘healthy’ and have been associated with broad health benefits, including decreased risk of obesity and ill health (cardiovascular disease, blood glucose and type II diabetes). However, the association between plant-based diets and mood disorders such as depression remains largely equivocal. This cross-sectional study of 219 adults aged 18–44 (M=31.22, SD=7.40) explored the associations between an estimate of overall plant-based diet quality and depression in vegans (n=165) and vegetarians (n=54). Overall plant-based diet quality was associated with depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians F(1, 215)=13.71, p<0.001 accounting for 6% of the variation in depressive symptoms. For those without depression, higher diet quality was protective against depressive symptoms F(1, 125)=6.49, p=0.012. Conversely, for those with depression no association with diet quality was found F(1, 89)=0.01, p=0.963. These findings suggest that a high-quality plant-based diet may be protective against depressive symptoms in vegans and vegetarians. In line with emerging research between food and mental health, higher-quality dietary patterns are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms. Given the rapidly increasing rate of vegan and vegetarian food products within Australia, understanding the potential mechanisms of effects through which a plant-based diet may influence depressive symptoms is required

Saccharide Effects on Cognition and Well-Being in Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.The current study used a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design to investigate the effects of saccharide supplementation on cognition and well-being in middle-aged adults. Participants (N=109; 45 - 60 years) took a teaspoon of a combination of saccharides or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks (3.6 g per day). Before and after this supplementation period, participants completed alternate forms of standardised tests of cognition and self-report measures of well-being. Significant beneficial effects of saccharide supplementation were found for memory performance and indicators of well-being. The potential for these nutrients to optimise cognitive function and well-being in older adults warrants on-going investigation

Association between dietary saccharide intake and self-reported memory performance in middle-aged adults

The aims of the present study were to assess dietary intake of saccharides in middle-aged adults, and to determine whether intakes of these sugar nutrients were related to self-reported memory performance. A population-based sample of 1183 men and women (aged 40-60 years) completed questionnaires assessing everyday memory function. Dietary intake status of saccharides was estimated using a self-completed, quantified FFQ. After controlling for demographic and health measures (for example, time spent exercising, smoking and alcohol consumption), saccharide intake was related to better self-reported memory functioning. Thus, longer-term intakes of saccharides through the usual diet may be positively related to perceived memory performance in mid-life

Perceived Changes in Well-Being Following Polysaccharide Intake in Middle-Aged Adults

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.Objectives: There is increased scientific interest in the effects of nutrition on cognition and well-being. Plant sourced polysaccharides play multiple roles in the biological processes required for health and well-being. This study explored the subjective experiential reports of well-being following intake of a plant derived polysaccharide supplement. Design: The study used a 12 week double-blind, placebo controlled polysaccharide supplementation design. Method: 109 middle-aged adults (45-60 years) took a standardised teaspoon of a combination of plant polysaccharides or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks (3.6 g per day), and completed three, open-ended interviews at weeks 4, 8 and 12. Results: Participants who took the polysaccharide supplement reported significantly more perceived beneficial changes in both physical and psychological well-being, specifically at week 12, compared to those who received the placebo. Conclusion: This study provides a starting point for understanding the perceived beneficial impact of polysaccharide interventions on aspects of well-being. Importantly, as a healthrelated application of polysaccharide science, this research supports the relationship that is emerging between the properties and function of polysaccharides. It is essential that future research assesses the effects of polysaccharide intake on a range of physical and psychological well-being outcomes to further the understanding of structure-function relationships with the aim of enhancing the functional health and well-being of individuals

Student Pilot Perceptions of Flight Training

Within the aviation industry, there is an increasing demand for an estimated 635,000 new pilots over the next 20 years (Boeing, 2018). The demand for training of new, student pilots has increased the use of recreational aircraft (RA) with technologically advanced cockpits in flight schools. The impact of RA based training compared to general aviation (GA) aircraft training on student mental workload is not well understood. This research investigated student pilot awareness of mental workload between technologically advanced cockpit equipped RA training with analog gauge equipped general aviation aircraft (GA) training. There were a total of 25 aviation students, with a mean age of 24.4 years (17 males and 8 females), who completed in separate studies, self-reported assessment of mental workload using the NASA TLX combined with semi-structured interviews following both RA and GA flight training circuits, and simulation-based flight circuits. The results showed a significantly higher rating of mental workload across subscales of mental and physical demand on the NASATLX in recreational aviation aircraft training compared to general aviation aircraft. Similarly, thematic content analysis of semi-structured interviews identified that mental workload of the student pilots flying the recreational aircraft was perceived to be more than the general aviation aircraft, with pilots reporting that Landing, as a stage of flight, to be the most mentally demanding phase of flight for both RA and GA aircraft. This research highlights an opportunity for further research into specific training for RA vs. GA aircraft training and provides an insight into the overall demand and potential barriers of using technology-based cockpits in the developmental stages of flight training. Further research is recommended to measure the physiological levels of mental workload during a flight to assess the real time effects of mental workload required of student pilots

The experience of loneliness: The role of fears of compassion and social safeness

There are multiple factors associated with an increasing rate of loneliness. One common thread may be social disconnection and a reduced ability to feel safe in social settings for fear of giving to and receiving help from others. This study used an online survey to explore loneliness and its relationship with related psychological constructs of social connectedness, social safeness, subjective happiness, and fears of compassion in 177 adults (Female = 126), aged 18–70 years. The results showed that those with high loneliness reported significantly higher fears of expressing compassion for others and self, and receiving compassion from others, as well as lower reported social safeness, subjective happiness and social connection compared to those with reported low loneliness. Those with moderate levels of loneliness were not significantly different from the high loneliness group on fears of compassion towards others or measures of positive affect. The findings show that social safeness, and fears of receiving compassion from others or self are highly related to those with high levels of loneliness.N/

Neurologic effects of exogenous saccharides: A review of controlled human, animal, and in vitro studies

Objectives: Current research efforts are centered on delineating the novel health benefits of naturally derived saccharides, including growing interest in their abilities to influence neurologic health. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature to consolidate all controlled studies assessing various roles of exogenous saccharide compounds and polysaccharide-rich extracts from plants, fungi, and other natural sources on brain function, with a significant focus on benefits derived from oral intake. Methods: Studies were identified by conducting electronic searches on PubMed and Google Scholar. Reference lists of articles were also reviewed for additional relevant studies. Only articles published in English were included in this review. Results: Six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies were identified in which consumption of a blend of plant-derived polysaccharides showed positive effects on cognitive function and mood in healthy adults. A separate controlled clinical study observed improvements in well-being with ingestion of a yeast beta-glucan. Numerous animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of individual saccharide compounds and polysaccharide-rich extracts to modify behavior, enhance synaptic plasticity, and provide neuroprotective effects. Discussion: Although the mechanisms by which exogenous saccharides can influence brain function are not well understood at this time, the literature suggests that certain naturally occurring compounds and polysaccharide-rich extracts show promise, when taken orally, in supporting neurologic health and function. Additional well-controlled clinical studies on larger populations are necessary, however, before specific recommendations can be made

A role for dietary non-starch polysaccharides in neurocognitive function

There is a great body of information emerging on the chemistry and role of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) found in cell-plant walls, cereals and grains on human health. Whilst the structural and functional properties of these NSP's are diverse depending on the variety and source, it is clear that they play an important role in promoting better health outcomes. These include, lowering blood cholesterol, improving blood glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity, immune function, cardiovascular function, gastrointestinal structure and function, as well as prebiotic effects (Kumar, Sinha, Makkar, Boek, & Becker, 2012)

Good news story nutrition for brain health

The idea that nutrition can influence our health is not new. Most are aware of the significant impact food choices can play in health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular function and the importance of nutrition for physical and psychological well-being. Importantly, nutrition for brain function and cognitive performance is a rapidly increasing area of interest for scientists, industry and the general public. As a modifiable lifestyle choice, diet and nutrition are important contributors to brain health across the lifespan. In the chapters that follow, exciting, innovative research regarding the role of nutrition and diet in brain health is discussed. This chapter discusses a broad, good news story for brain health, innovative changes in nutrition-cognition research and provides suggestions for how to utilise the material presented in this book

Food choice motivations: Profiling low-carbohydrate, high-fat dieters

Best, T ORCiD: 0000-0001-8849-1411We sought to determine the motivational profile of low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) dieters compared to other-dieter and non-dieter groups, in terms of both absolute food choice motivations (FCMs) and relative FCMs (how one motivation is prioritised against others). Participants (N = 330, 287 female, 43 male) completed a 12-scale food choice questionnaire online. Results showed that all three groups prioritised the FCM of health highly. Differences between the dietary groups (adjusting for age) showed that the “LCHF diet” and “other-diet” group rated FCM's weight control and natural content (absolute and relative motivation scores) significantly higher than those in the “no-diet” group. Whereas, FCM's price and convenience (absolute and relative motivation scores) were rated significantly lower than the “no-diet” group. Importantly, FCM Natural content was the top priority for the “LCHF diet” group, and its level of importance significantly differed from the “other-diet” group, who scored natural content significantly lower in both absolute and relative terms. In contrast, the “LCHF diet” group scored significantly lower on relative animal welfare as compared to both other groups. The pattern of both absolute and relative food choice motivation scores between each group is discussed. These results show a novel profile of differences for absolute and relative FCMs between LCHF dieters, other-dieters and non-dieters. © 2019 Elsevier Lt