Effects of a drinkable meal on cognitive function in older adults

Effects of a Nutritionally Balanced In-between Meal Food Product on Cognitive Function in the Elderly - an Explorative Study

Not applicable Interventional Örebro University, Sweden · NCT06353984

This study is testing whether a healthy drinkable meal made from oats and chickpeas can improve thinking and brain function in older adults aged 70 and up.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment114 (estimated)
Ages70 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorÖrebro University, Sweden Academic / other
Locations1 site (Örebro)
Trial IDNCT06353984 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This nine-week intervention involves a randomized controlled trial to assess how a healthy drinkable meal, made from processed oats and chickpeas, impacts cognitive function and brain activity in healthy adults aged 70 and older. Participants will be divided into three groups: two receiving the intervention and one serving as a non-blinded control. The study will also explore secondary outcomes related to inflammation, immune function, gut health, body composition, physical function, and overall well-being. Participants will attend the study center multiple times for assessments and sample collection throughout the trial.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 70 years and older with a normal to overweight BMI.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, immobility, or diagnosed neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could enhance cognitive function and overall health in the elderly, contributing to healthier aging.

How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have explored dietary interventions for cognitive health, this specific approach using a drinkable meal is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed informed consent prior to any study-related procedure
* Age 70 years and above
* Normal weight to overweight at the screening defined as BMI range 18.5-31.9
* Willing to abstain from regular consumption of medication known to alter gastrointestinal function or inflammatory status after being included and during the study
* Willingness to pick up study products and eat the products according to the instructions each day

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of type 1 and/or type 2 diabetes
* Immobile (defined as the inability to participate in all study-related procedures)
* History of complicated gastrointestinal surgery
* Diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
* Current diagnosis of psychiatric disease/s or syndromes
* Current diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease
* Systemic use of antibiotics and/or steroid medication in the last 4 months prior to inclusion
* Use of probiotics, prebiotics, fermented foods, kombucha, and any other product known to modulate gut microbiota composition in the last 2 months prior to inclusion
* Use of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) more than 3 times a week in the last 2 months prior to inclusion
* Use of statins
* Consumption of any NSAID within 7 days of study start
* Any condition which could interfere with intestinal barrier function (e.g. gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, IBS, IBD) as decided by the principal investigators' discretion
* Vegetarian diet
* Allergy to ingredients included in either investigational or reference products
* Regular smoking, use of snuff, nicotine, or e-cigarette use
* Drinking more than 9 standard cups of alcohol per week and/or more than 3 standard cups of alcohol per occasion
* Regular use, for more than three times a week for the last 2 months and/or 7 days prior to inclusion, of medications which according to the principal investigator can have an anti-inflammatory effect or affect in any way the intestinal barrier function or have an impact on the study analysis (such as laxatives, anti-diarrheal, anti-cholinergic, etc.)
* After being included in the study, starting any medication or treatment that could potentially influence the study participation and/or study analysis
* Cerebral bleeding or history of cerebral bleeding
* Claustrophobia
* In operated apparatus (e.g., pacemaker)
* Aneurysm clips or shunts in the head
* Grenade-splinter or metal-splinter in the body (e.g., eyes)
* Metal or electrodes in the body (e.g., temp-catheter, aorta stent, cochlea implant)
* Comprehensive tooth-implants or prosthesis
* Operated in the head or in the heart
* Swallowed a video-capsule
* Left-handed
* Severe vision impairments
* Being highly physically active, competing as a master athlete and/or partaking in physical demanding training more than four times per week, extreme exercising
* Any other reason the investigator feels the subject is not suitable for participation in this aspect of the study

Where this trial is running

Örebro

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cognitive Functioncognitive function
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.