The effects of palatinose on attention and cerebral blood flow in healthy adults: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study

[Display omitted] •Palatinose (isomaltulose) provides glucose useful for performing cognitive tasks.•Palatinose intake was found to maintain attention than glucose in healthy adults.•This effect of palatinose on attention was caused by increased cerebral blood flow. The primary energy source for the brain is glucose, and a continuous supply is required for the brain to work longer. This study aimed to verify the effects of palatinose on attention and cerebral blood flow in healthy adults. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study included 64 healthy Japanese adults. Participants performed the Digit Vigilance Task (DVT) 60 min pre-ingestion (14:00) and 0 (15:00), 60 (16:00), 120 (17:00), and 180 (18:00) min after ingestion of 10 g of either palatinose or glucose. Cerebral blood flow was measured using a wearable 2CH functional near-infrared spectrometer (fNIRS) during each DVT. The participants underwent the Uchida-Kraepelin (UK) test between each DVT to control for fatigue. DVT reaction times with palatinose intake were significantly shorter than those with glucose intake at 16:00, 17:00, and 18:00 (p = 0.0015, p