Exploring the Cognitive Benefits of a Blackcurrant-Based Supplement in Normobaric Hypoxia

Cognitive functioning can be influenced by varying factors including age, education, fatigue and environmental conditions. It is well established that stress, including hypoxia, sleep deprivation, and mental fatigue, alters brain energetics therefore resulting in a decline of cognitive function. Any physical or psychological stressor that disrupts homeostasis results in a stress response. Altitude, often associated with sports, recreational activities and holidaying, refers to environments where the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) is reduced relative to sea level. The effects of high altitude on humans are mostly the consequences of reduced pO2 in the atmosphere and can result in fatigue, dizziness and debilitating cognitive consequences to unacclimatised individuals. These effects can significantly impair cognitive and physical performance at high elevations. In this context, interests in prophylactic use of dietary interventions to mitigate the effects of oxygen deprivation has increased in recent years. Interventions utilising a number of plant derived phytochemicals have demonstrated some protective efficacy against these physiological insults and may be capable of attenuating cognitive function and mood under hypoxic stress. However, there is limited research available on polyphenol supplementation to support cognition at high altitudes. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to explore the possibility of the nootropic drink and how effective it is in reducing cognitive impairment of healthy males at a simulated high altitude of 4,500m.

Participants will attend the laboratory on four occasions over a 2-3-week period. The first two visits will involve a pre-screening assessment and a familiarisation session with the experimental procedures and cognitive tasks.

The subsequent two visits will serve as the experimental trials, during which participants will be exposed to a normobaric hypoxic environment simulating an altitude of 4,500 meters. This condition is achieved by maintaining sea-level barometric pressure with a reduced inspired oxygen fraction (FiO₂ ~11.3%, equivalent to a PiO₂ of approximately 80.9 mmHg).

Acute exposure to high altitudes (3,000-4,500 m) for durations as short as 45 to 120 minutes has been shown to impair cognitive function, increase mood disturbances, reduce task accuracy, and slow reaction times. Based on prior research the duration of hypoxic exposure in this study will be approximately 180 minutes, allowing sufficient time for potential cognitive changes to occur.

Each experimental trial will follow a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover design. Participants will consume 100 mL of either an anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant drink (containing 200 mg of bioactive compounds) or a taste- and appearance-matched placebo (0 mg). A 45-minute rest period will follow to allow for absorption.

Cognitive testing will span approximately 80 minutes and will begin 75 minutes into the hypoxic exposure. This includes three short tasks (approximately 10 minutes in total) administered before and after a 60-minute cognitive demand battery. The cognitive tasks will assess executive function, working memory, attention, and cognitive load.

Physiological measures (e.g., heart rate, SpO₂), blood-based biomarkers (e.g., MAO-B, BDNF, hsCRP, S100B, prolactin, C3G, sarmentosin), and self-reported scales assessing mood, anxiety, perceived cognitive workload, and subjective effects will also be collected throughout the trial.

Inclusion criteria

• Willing and able to provide written informed consent (in English)
• Aged 18-35
• Male
• Residing at a low altitude (<500m)

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed food allergy or intolerance to the investigational products or control products. (Blackcurrant, food allergen/ pine, tree-derived allergen/ l-theanine tree allergen (camellia sinensis))
• Significant past medical and psychiatric history and ongoing chronic conditions such as, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, endocrine disorder (e.g. Diabetes mellites) and neurological and psychiatric conditions including brain injury or are colourblind.
• Significant medication history or current prescription of medication or supplements known to affect cognition such as. Sedatives, stimulants, or herbal supplements high in anthocyanin and polyphenol content.
• A positive result from the pre-screening sickle cell trait blood test.
• An abnormal ECG reading.
• A resting heart rate above 100bmp.
• A blood pressure reading above 140/90mmHg.
• Subjects not willing and/ or not able to comply with the scheduled visits required for the study.
• Not willing to provide blood samples.
• Not classified as low risk based on the ACSM guidelines.