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Review
. 2023 Feb 27;15(5):1204.
doi: 10.3390/nu15051204.

Considerations for Optimizing Warfighter Psychological Health with a Research-Based Flavonoid Approach: A Review

Tanisha L Currie  1 , Marguerite M Engler  1 , Victor Krauthamer  2 , Jonathan M Scott  3 , Patricia A Deuster  3 , Thomas P Flagg  4
Affiliations
Review

Considerations for Optimizing Warfighter Psychological Health with a Research-Based Flavonoid Approach: A Review

Tanisha L Currie et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Optimal nutrition is imperative for psychological health. Oxidative stress and inflammation are underlying etiologies for alterations in psychological health. Warfighters are at risk of health concerns such as depression due to increased stress in austere environments and family separation while deployed. Over the last decade, research has demonstrated the health benefits of flavonoids found in fruits and berries. Berry flavonoids have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, the promising effects of various berries rich in bioactive flavonoids are examined. By inhibiting oxidative stress, berry flavonoids have the potential to modulate brain, cardiovascular, and intestinal health. There is a critical need for targeted interventions to address psychological health concerns within the warfighter population, and a berry flavonoid-rich diet and/or berry flavonoid dietary supplement intervention may prove beneficial as an adjunctive therapy. Structured searches of the literature were performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases using predetermined keywords. This review focuses on berry flavonoids' critical and fundamental bioactive properties and their potential effects on psychological health in investigations utilizing cell, animal, and human model systems.

Keywords: bioactive ingredients; cognitive health; cyanidin 3-glucoside; fruit extracts; mental health; military health; monoamine hypothesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflict of interest. The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Brooke Army Medical Center, the Uniformed Services University, the U.S. Army Medical Department of the Army, the Department of the Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The Effects of Berry Flavonoids on Brain Health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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