The Effect of Polyphenols on Working and Episodic Memory in Non-pathological and Pathological Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
de Vries K, Medawar E, Korosi A, Witte AV
Published in Frontiers in Nutrition
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 66 randomized clinical trials (>=20 participants per group, aged 40+) of supplementary polyphenols (35-1,600 mg/day, 2 weeks to 6.5 years), pooling working and episodic memory outcomes from 49 studies.
Key Findings
About half of the included trials reported significantly improved memory performance versus control, three reported worse performance, and the remainder found no effect; pooled analysis showed a small significant positive effect on both working and episodic memory.
Conclusions
Supplementary polyphenols show a small positive pooled effect on memory in aging adults, but individual trial results are highly inconsistent.
Limitations
High heterogeneity across polyphenol types, doses and durations; many small trials; possible publication bias.
Supplements Studied
overall effect size for WM and EM indicated a significant small positive effect on EM and WM
Outcomes Measured
overall effect size for WM and EM indicated a significant small positive effect on EM and WM
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Not reported
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