Cognitive Performance and Mood After Ingestion of Dietary Supplement by University Students

Change in cognitive performance measured Self-efficacy scale in higher education before starting supplementation, 30 days after, and at the end of the intervention. For reference, scores in the different dimensions (academic, higher education regulation, and social interaction) equal to or less than 3 indicate low levels of self-efficacy in the respective dimension. In turn, scores equal to or greater than 5 correspond to robust self-efficacy beliefs.

Change in mood is measured by DASS before starting supplementation, 30 days after, and at the end of the intervention. In the DASS, the scores are presented as a total score (between 0 and 63) and a score for the three subscales (between 0 and 21). The scores for each subscale are categorized into five degrees of severity: normal, mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe. The higher the score, the greater the degree of severity.

Psychological pathology assessment is measured by BSI before starting supplementation, 30 days after, and at the end of the intervention. BSI is assessed by calculating the Overall Severity Index (OSI), adding up all items on the BSI-18. OSI values ≥ 63 indicate psychological pathology.

The shorter version of the Nutrition Council Appetite Assessment Questionnaire-the Simplified Appetite Nutrition Questionnaire (SANQ)-is being used in this study as a tool for measuring appetite in the group of participants. The SANQ consists of four items, grouped into a single domain. When added together, they generate the total questionnaire score, which can range from 4 to 20. The lower the score, the greater the risk of weight loss. In the original instrument, scores lower than or equal to 14 indicate a risk of weight loss of at least 5% in six months. Participants will be assessed before taking the dietary supplement and 60 days after.

Before the intervention and 60 days afterward, participants will be asked to rate their appetite using a visual appetite scale (VAS) to check for any changes and complete a simplified nutritional assessment questionnaire. This scale consists of a 100 mm long line without graduations, and participants should be instructed to mark a cross or a vertical line at the point on the scale where they consider their appetite to be. The point marked by the individual should be measured with the aid of a ruler, from the left end (minimum score zero mm) to the right (maximum score 100 mm), in order to quantify the resulting measurements. The results should be evaluated using the two measurement points. If the values remain the same, taking the supplements had no significant impact on the subjective perception of appetite.

Adherence will be monitored through a daily intake diary completed by participants, in which each participant will record their daily consumption of the supplement or placebo during the 60-day period. The record includes the day, month, and year. Participants will also complete a questionnaire on the occurrence of side effects at the end of the intervention (60 days).

Participants will also complete a questionnaire on the occurrence of side effects (absent, mild, moderate and severe) at the end of the intervention (60 days).