Study Reveals Antioxidant Blend Improves Cognition and Strength

A new study found that supplements that contain a blend of antioxidants might improve spatial cognition, short-term memory, and muscle durability in mice. Antioxidants help promote cell health by reducing an excess of unstable free radical molecules that can damage healthy cells. Even though free radicals occur naturally, too many can bury healthy cells, causing oxidative stress, which has also been linked to a wide range of health issues.  

Antioxidants found in plants are molecules that help prevent cell damage in the body. The researchers in Japan used a blended antioxidant product, Twendee X, which is currently marketed in that country. It contains eight different types of antioxidants and was formulated by Professor Haruhiko Inufusa of the Department of Antioxidant Research, Center for Scientific Research and Innovation at Gifu University in Japan. In this study, 18-month-old genetically modified mice were given a blended antioxidant in water that they were allowed to drink or not drink at will for a month. Their spatial cognition. 

Their spatial cognition and short-term memory improved during the test period, as measured by their success in a Morris water maze and Y-maze, compared to mice in the control group provided plain filtered tap water.Treadmill tests show that the blended antioxidant mice increased their running distance significantly more than their control counterparts who did not take blended antioxidants.Researchers attempted to train mice on treadmills with an additional supplement which again showed no discernible effects between two groups which suggests that the blended antioxidant might not improve exercise capacity or strength. 

In post-mortem examination of the blended-antioxidant mice’s brains, the researchers observed a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase — an enzyme indicating muscle damage — alanine aminotransferase, as well as total cholesterol values. Blended antioxidants are supplements within which multiple antioxidants are combined.  

One can replace the blended effect by eating a combination of foods that contain different antioxidants. These antioxidants are available in healthy foods, such as broccoli, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Cabbage, lettuce, asparagus, and squash are also excellent sources. Blueberries, strawberries, pecans, artichokes, kale, raspberries, spinach, and okra are also rich in antioxidants, as are beets, beans, and dark chocolate. 

Antioxidants have been found to support cognition, and thus, the study’s findings say that the spatial memory and short-term memory benefits from blended antioxidants are not unexpected. Muscle strength declines with aging, but the blended supplement prevents this decline.Antioxidants may help alleviate exercise-induced oxidative stress in muscles, potentially aiding in recovery and strengthening muscles. However, more research is necessary to verify these effects of blended antioxidants in human trials.