Both a single dose and a 4-week daily regimen of medium-chain triglycerides boost certain aspects of cognitive function in young adults: A randomized controlled trial

Although antioxidant oils, particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), improve cognitive decline in older adults and neurodegenerative patients, their effects on young individuals and the relationship between acute and chronic responses remain unclear. In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluated whether acute and long-term effects of MCT on cognitive function on young individuals surpass those of long-chain triglycerides (LCT). Thirty-six young participants (21 ± 1 years; 20/16 males/females) were divided into MCT (12 g of MCT) and LCT (olive oil) groups. In the acute experiment, memory, inhibitory control (IC), and working memory (WM) were evaluated before and 75 min after either oil consumption. In the long-term experiment, participants completed a 4-week oil intervention, after which cognitive functions were reassessed at least 1 day after the final oil consumption. The IC after a single dose of MCT was better than that after consuming LCT (P < 0.05). WM after a 4-week daily MCT regimen was better than that after LCT (P = 0.04). Additionally, the individual relationships between the acute and the 4-week effects of MCT on cognitive function were observed (e.g., P = 0.01, ρ = 0.58). In young adults, a single intake of MCT improves IC but has no long-term effect. A 4-week daily regimen of MCT enhances WM in young adults despite the absence of acute effects. However, given the individual relationship between acute and long-term responses, responders to a single dose of MCT generally remain responders to regular MCT consumption.