Indication: Brain health in adolescents

Source: Experimental Biology Conference (FASEB), April 2005

Research: In the study, 209 seventh graders, 111 girls and 98 boys, consumed four ounces of fruit juice containing 0, 10 or 20 mg of zinc gluconate each school day for 10-12 weeks. Students, their parents and teachers did not know who was receiving which, if any, zinc supplementation until the study was completed. At the beginning and the end of the study, students performed a battery of tasks designed to measure mental and motor skills, like attention, memory, problem-solving and hand-eye coordination.

Results: Adolescents who drank orange juice packed with 20 mg of zinc performed better on memory and attention exercises compared to those whose diet was not supplemented and youngsters who received the recommended 10 mg per day. Researchers noted zinc deficiency is not uncommon, even in the U.S. The risk could be particularly high in adolescents because they are undergoing rapid growth and often have poor eating habits.