Meat Consumption, Cognitive Function and Disorders: A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis and Meta-Analysis.
Huifeng Zhang, Laura Hardie, Areej O Bawajeeh...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32456281Actively Recruiting
Phase Not Applicable
Age: 19Years - 24Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID06690892
Understanding the Cognitive and Brain Health Effects of Increasing Beef Consumption in Young Adults
Led by University of Nebraska Lincoln · Updated on 2026-05-29
240
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lead Sponsor
N
National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether eating more beef can improve cognitive function and brain health in healthy younger adults aged 19 to 24. The study aims to see if higher beef consumption leads to better scores on cognitive tests, improved quality of life, and better brain function using brain imaging. It also looks at effects on memory, executive function, psychological well-being, and sleep quality. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for a 12-week dietary intervention. The experimental group will consume five 5-ounce portions of ready-to-eat lean beef weekly, while the control group will consume five 1-ounce portions weekly. Both groups receive frozen beef meals to prepare and consume alongside their regular diet, and compliance is monitored with weekly surveys. Participants will visit the study site weekly to pick up their frozen beef meals and complete brief consumption surveys. Before and after the 12-week intervention, they will undergo brain MRI scans, complete cognitive and psychological questionnaires, perform neuropsychological tasks, and have blood drawn. The researchers will measure various cognitive and health outcomes to assess the impact of increased beef consumption on brain health and cognitive abilities.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Investigating the Effects of Beef Consumption on Cognitive and Brain Health
Who Can Participate
Age: 19Years - 24Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Signed and dated informed consent
- Willingness to comply with all study procedures and be available for the study duration
- Males and females aged 19 to 24
- Willing to follow the ready-to-eat beef intervention plan
- Lives within 75 miles of Lincoln, NE
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 39.9
- Not pregnant or nursing
- No history of cognitive or metabolic diseases such as neurodegenerative disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular, liver, kidney disease, or cancer
- No history of eating or anxiety disorders
- Willing to stop dietary supplements during the study if currently using any
- No known contraindications for MRI scans based on screening
You will not qualify if you...
- Current use of medications that could affect response to diet, including amphetamines, antidepressants, anti-diabetic drugs, laxatives, antibiotics, statins, or diuretics
- Known allergy or intolerance to beef
- Current use of nicotine products like cigarettes or vaping
- Use of nicotine products within the past 6 months before screening assessment
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
1
2
3
Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants follow a 12-week dietary intervention consuming ready-to-eat beef in frozen packages, with portion sizes depending on group assignment. The experimental group consumes 5 portions per week weighing 5 ounces each, and the control group consumes 5 portions per week weighing 1 ounce each. Compliance is monitored through weekly surveys.
Weekly visits to complete surveys and assessments
Pre- and Post-Intervention Assessments
Duration - At the start and end of the 12-week intervention
Participants complete comprehensive assessments including MRI brain scans, cognitive and psychological questionnaires, neuropsychological tasks, and blood draws before and after the intervention to evaluate cognitive function and brain health.
2 visits (in-person assessments at baseline and after 12 weeks)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, 68588
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
D
Douglas Schultz, PhD
A
Aron Barbey, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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Published Research Related To This Trial
Diet and general cognitive ability in the UK Biobank dataset.
Piril Hepsomali, John A Groeger
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34083695