A single oral administration of astringent FLs stimulated the central nervous system, activating the hypothalamic coricotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons. The secreted CRH activated the noradrenaline (NA) neural community within the locus coeruleus (LC). The projection of NA from LC to the hypothalamus preoptic space suppresses sleep and promotes wakefulness. The projection of NA and dopamine (DA) from LC and DA from the ventral tegmental space to the hippocampus enhances reminiscence. The projection of NA from LC to the brainstem prompts sympathetic nerve exercise, augmenting circulation and metabolism. Credit score: Dr. Yasuyuki Fujii from Shibaura Institute of Expertise, Japan https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125002266
Astringency is a dry, puckering, tough, or sandpapery sensation within the mouth attributable to plant-derived polyphenols. Polyphenols, together with flavanols, are well-known for danger discount in cardiovascular illnesses.
Flavanols, discovered abundantly in cocoa, crimson wine, and berries, are related to improved reminiscence and cognition, in addition to safety towards neuronal harm. Regardless of these advantages, flavanols have poor bioavailability—the fraction that truly enters the bloodstream after ingestion.
This has left an essential information hole: how can flavanols affect mind perform and the nervous system when so little of them is absorbed?
In response to this problem, a analysis staff led by Dr. Yasuyuki Fujii and Professor Naomi Osakabe from Shibaura Institute of Expertise, Japan, investigated how flavanols have an effect on the nervous system by means of sensory stimulation.
The examine, revealed within the journal Present Analysis in Meals Science, examined the speculation that the astringent style of flavanols might act as a direct sign to the mind.
“Flavanols exhibit an astringent taste. We hypothesized that this taste serves as a stimulus, transmitting signals directly to the central nervous system (comprising the brain and spinal cord). As a result, it is thought that flavanol stimulation is transmitted via sensory nerves to activate the brain, subsequently inducing physiological responses in the periphery through the sympathetic nervous system,” explains Dr. Fujii.
The researchers performed experiments in 10-week-old mice, administering flavanols orally at doses of 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg physique weight, whereas management mice obtained solely distilled water.
Behavioral assessments confirmed that flavanol-fed mice exhibited higher motor exercise, exploratory conduct, and improved studying and reminiscence in comparison with controls. Flavanols enhanced neurotransmitter exercise throughout a number of mind areas.
Dopamine and its precursor levodopa, norepinephrine and its metabolite normetanephrine had been elevated within the locus coeruleus–noradrenaline community instantly after the administration.
These chemical compounds regulate motivation, consideration, stress response, and arousal. Moreover, enzymes essential for noradrenaline synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-β-hydroxylase) and transport (vesicular monoamine transporter 2) had been upregulated, strengthening the signaling capability of the noradrenergic system.
As well as, biochemical evaluation revealed increased urinary ranges of catecholamines—hormones launched throughout stress—in addition to elevated exercise within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a mind area central to emphasize regulation. Flavanol administration additionally boosted the expression of c-Fos (a key transcription issue) and corticotropin-releasing hormone within the PVN.
Taken collectively, these outcomes display that flavanol consumption can set off wide-ranging physiological responses resembling these induced by train—functioning as a average stressor that prompts the central nervous system and enhances consideration, arousal, and reminiscence.
“Stress responses elicited by flavanols in this study are similar to those elicited by physical exercise. Thus, moderate intake of flavanols, despite their poor bioavailability, can improve the health and quality of life,” mentioned Dr. Fujii.
These findings have potential implications within the subject of sensory diet. Particularly, next-generation meals might be developed primarily based on the sensory properties, physiological results, and palatability of meals.
Extra info:
Yasuyuki Fujii et al, Astringent flavanol fires the locus-noradrenergic system, regulating neurobehavior and autonomic nerves, Present Analysis in Meals Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2025.101195
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Shibaura Institute of Expertise
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Astringent, sharper thoughts: Flavanols can set off mind exercise for reminiscence and stress response (2025, November 1)
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