Nutrients extracted from the processing of chicken meat are largely protein-based, including peptides, amino acids and longer-chain proteins. Chicken-derived nutrients, such as carnosine and anserine, have shown memory-enhancement properties, particularly in working memory, short-term memory and memory retention.
A published human study investigating the benefits of chicken peptides derived from hydrolyzed chicken meat (test product name: CMI-168) has shown promising cognition-enhancing benefits.
In this study, 20 participants aged 35 to 65 years completed the randomized, double-blind clinical study. One group consumed CMI-168 peptides whereas the other group consumed placebo tablets (tablets without any active ingredients) for six weeks. Cognitive function was tested using objective neuropsychological tests at the start of study and at Week 6. Two weeks after stopping the tablets, cognitive function was reassessed to investigate if effects were sustained after stopping consumption of the tablets.
After six weeks of consumption, the group taking CMI-168 performed better than placebo in cognitive tests of attention and working memory (the Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing tests), verbal memory and learning ability (the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) test). Interestingly, the improvements observed were sustained at two weeks even after the supplement had been discontinued.
This study demonstrates the scientifically-proven efficacy of a chicken-based ingredient in improving cognitive function among middle-aged healthy adults. Attention, learning, working and verbal memory are recognized as key components of cognitive function, thus the potential ability of chicken-based supplements to improve other areas of brain health should be further researched.
Summary of:
Azhar, Z. M., Zubaidah, J. O., Norjan, K. O., Zhuang, C. Y. J., & Tsang, F. (2013). A pilot placebo-controlled, double-blind, and randomized study on the cognition-enhancing benefits of a proprietary chicken meat ingredient in healthy subjects. Nutrition Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-12-121