Daily consumption of ultra-high hydrostatic pressurized brown rice improves cognitive, mental, and bone health in the elderly: A 12-month, single blind, parallel-group randomized trial

Abstract

Purpose Age-related cognitive and psychiatric impairments are related to bone fragility. We reported that ultra-high hydrostatic pressurized brown rice (UBR) consumption helps maintain cognitive function and bone mineral density (BMD), but their association remains unexplored. This study evaluated the effects of UBR consumption for 12 months on cognitive and mental function and their association with BMD in the elderly. Methods Fortyfour participants (65–85 years) were randomly assigned to either the white rice (WR) (n = 22) or UBR (n = 22) group, and received 200 g of WR or 100 g of UBR and 100 g of WR daily for 12 months, respectively. At baseline and 12-month, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Cognitive Assessment for Dementia, iPad version (CADi) measured cognitive function. Apathy and depression were assessed using the Starkstein apathy scale and Zung’s self-rated depression scale (SDS), respectively. Calcaneal BMD was measured using an ultrasound bone densitometer and converted to percentage of the Young-Adult Mean (%YAM). Results Twenty participants in each of the WR and UBR group completed the 12-month trial with high adherence. Twelve-month of UBR intake significantly improved MMSE, CADi, Starkstein apathy scores, and %YAM in the elderly compared to WR intake. In addition, CADi, apathy, and SDS scores were significantly correlated with bone health index %YAM. No adverse events were attributed to the intervention. Conclusion These results suggest that daily UBR consumption may improve age-related cognitive and mental impairments, and retained BMD; potentially combating dementia and osteoporosis in the elderly. Clinical trials registration: This study was retrospectively registered in Februaly 9th 2024, at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000053587.