Effect of potatoes and other carbohydrate-containing foods on cognitive performance, glycemic response, and satiety in children

Abstract

Dietary carbohydrates have been shown to influence cognitive performance and satiety in children. However, it remains unclear whether the carbohydrate source is a primary determinant of cognitive performance and satiety. The objective was to compare the effects of white potatoes and other carbohydrate-containing foods on cognitive performance, glycemic response, and satiety in children. On 6 separate mornings, in random order, children (n = 22) consumed 50 g of available carbohydrates from microwaved mashed potatoes (prepared from fresh potatoes then frozen), deep-fried potato strips (French fries), hash browns, white rice, white beans, or skipped a meal. Cognitive performance, glycemic response, and satiety were measured over 180 min. Cognitive performance was measured using a battery of tests assessing verbal declarative memory, spatial memory, short-term memory, working memory, and information processing speed. Although cognitive performance after the treatment meals did not differ from meal skipping, children recalled more words after French fries (9.1 ± 0.4 words) compared with mashed potatoes (8.2 ± 0.3 words; p = 0.001) and white rice (8.4 ± 0.3 words; p = 0.04) on the verbal declarative memory test. Blood glucose concentrations were higher after white rice compared with white beans, mashed potatoes, and hash browns (p < 0.05). Change from baseline subjective average appetite (mm/kcal) was lower after mashed potatoes compared with all other treatment meals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, verbal declarative memory was higher after French fries and subjective average appetite was lower after mashed potatoes. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these short-term findings and to elucidate the mechanism of action.

Effect of Increasing the Dietary Protein Content of Breakfast on Subjective Appetite, Short-Term Food Intake and Diet-Induced Thermogenesis in Children

“…Similarly, since all protein treatments used potatoes instead of bread as the carbohydrate source, it is more challenging to identify protein-specific effects on components of energy balance or metabolism. The white potato content of breakfast may have contributed to both appetite and FI suppression, as white potatoes have been shown to increase satiety in both adults [ 57 ] and children [ 58 , 59 ]. Additionally, while the largest protein meal (45 g) reduced short-term FI and increased DIT, the feasibility of parents consistently preparing meals higher in protein in free-living conditions is unknown and should be addressed in future experimental studies.…”

Effect of White Potatoes on Subjective Appetite, Food Intake, and Glycemic Response in Healthy Older Adults

“…Similar to previous studies, all white potato treatments suppressed appetite and lunch FI compared with meal skipping in older adults. White potatoes have been shown to exert higher feelings of satiety and/or lower FI compared with other carbohydrate-containing foods matched for available carbohydrates in older adults [20] and other age groups, including young adults [19,38] and children [17,34]. In young adults, mashed potatoes resulted in higher satiety ratings over 120 min compared with other carbohydrate and protein foods matched for available carbohydrate content [38].…”

“…('nothing at all' to 'a large amount') [31][32][33]. Subjective average appetite scores (units) were calculated from the four VAS question scores as follows, as previously reported [17,[31][32][33][34]: (desire-to-eat + hunger + (100-fullness) + prospective food consumption)/4.…”

“…Subjective emotions were determined using an emotion VAS questionnaire consisting of eleven questions, as previously reported [34,35]: (1) how alert do you feel right now? ('not alert at all' to 'very alert'); (2) how happy do you feel right now?…”

“…Capillary blood samples were collected using a single-use, auto-disabling finger-prick lancet device (SLB200, Surgilance TM , Brussels, Belgium) in sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate capillary blood collection tubes (Terumo America Inc., CA, USA), as previously reported [33,34]. Blood samples were collected at baseline (0 min), and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min post-treatment consumption.…”