Roasted Barley Extract (Mugicha) Containing Cyclo(D-Phe-L-Pro) Prevents a Decrease in Skin Temperature in Cold Conditions: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

Roasted barley extract (RBE) is a traditional Japanese beverage. Previously, we reported the effects of RBE containing cyclo( d -Phe- l -Pro) on blood flow in animals and humans and investigated rapid skin temperature recovery from cold-water immersion in women. The present randomized, double-blind study investigated the effects of RBE containing cyclo( d -Phe- l -Pro) on men’s and women’s skin temperature in excessively air-cooled conditions. Participants felt cold in the test room (25.5±0.5ºC). They ingested an RBE or placebo beverage and remained in the air-conditioned room for 100 min. Skin temperature of the left foot was measured every 5 min using infrared thermography. We evaluated effect of RBE administration by paired t-test. The skin temperature of the RBE group remained higher than that of the placebo group. The skin temperature changes 100 min after RBE or placebo ingestion were −3.67±1.14ºC and −4.59±0.89ºC, respectively in all participants. We also did subclass analysis focusing on men or women. In a previous study, RBE efficacy for skin temperature in men was not clearly demonstrated. RBE consumption was also effective not only in female participants but also in male participants. The skin temperature changes 100 min after RBE or placebo ingestion were −3.65±0.64ºC and −4.55±0.32ºC, respectively in male participants. Therefore, RBE containing cyclo( d -Phe- l -Pro) prevented skin temperature decreases in excessively air-cooled conditions in both men and women.