Whole dietary patterns to optimize cognitive function for military mission-readiness: a systematic review and recommendations for the field

Abstract

Context: Optimizing cognitive performance, particularly during times of high stress, is a prerequisite to mission-readiness among military personnel. It has been of interest to determine whether such performance could be enhanced through diet.

Objective: This systematic review assesses the quality of the evidence for whole dietary patterns across various outcomes related to cognitive function in healthy adult populations to develop research recommendations for the military.

Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched.

Study selection: Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in the English language were eligible.

Data extraction: Fifteen included trials were assessed for methodological quality, and descriptive data were extracted.

Data synthesis: Of the 6 acceptable-quality studies, 1 demonstrated statistically nonsignificant results, whereas the other 5 showed conflicting results across the cognitive outcomes assessed.

Conclusions: Due to the heterogeneity across the included studies, no recommendations could be reached concerning whether certain whole dietary patterns have an effect on cognitive outcomes in healthy populations. Specific recommendations for future research are offered.

Keywords: cognitive brain function; diet; healthy; military; mission-readiness; systematic review.