Activity enhancers and activity-enhancing foods and beverages

Abstract

The present invention provides an activity improver containing a novel active ingredient. Provided is an activity improver that contains nerol as an active ingredient. In one aspect, the activity improver may have a nerol content of 5-30 ppm. The activity improver may further contain water as a solvent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an activity enhancer and a food or drink for enhancing activity.

Background Art

[0002] Neroli essential oil extracted from the flowers of bitter orange, an evergreen tree of the Rutaceae family, is said to calm anxiety, soothe the mind, and provide a deep sense of relaxation. Nerol, a component of neroli essential oil, is a colorless liquid with a sweet fragrance like that of roses and is used as a fragrance. Nerol is also extracted from lemongrass, hops, etc. in addition to neroli essential oil. For example, International Publication No. 2015 / 025902 proposes a method for producing a transnasal brain function regulator for improving the symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia using an extract of lemongrass. Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-512205, a fragrance accord containing nerol is said to improve sleep. Furthermore, in the abstracts of the 141st Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 29P01-119S, "Functional Analysis of Aroma Components in Lemongrass Extracts Affecting Cerebral Blood Flow," when humans were exposed to nerol and geraniol, which are aroma components contained in lemongrass cell extracts, the cerebral blood flow increased significantly, suggesting the possibility of contributing to the development of a new preventive and therapeutic method for dementia.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide an activity enhancer containing a novel active ingredient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The first aspect is an activity enhancer containing nerol as an active ingredient. In one aspect, the content of nerol in the activity enhancer may be 5 ppm or more and 30 ppm or less, and it may contain water as a solvent. In one aspect, the intake amount of nerol in the activity enhancer may be 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less per intake, and it may be ingested orally.

[0005] In one embodiment, the activity-enhancing agent may suppress feelings of lethargy, elevate mood, or increase the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalography.

[0006] The second embodiment is a food or beverage for improving activity that contains nerol as an active ingredient. In one embodiment, the food or beverage for improving activity may contain nerol in a concentration of 5 ppm to 30 ppm and may contain water as a solvent. In one embodiment, the food or beverage for improving activity may contain nerol in an amount of 1 mg to 6 mg per serving and may be taken orally.

[0007] In one embodiment, the food or beverage for improving activity may suppress feelings of lethargy, elevate mood, or increase the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalogram measurements.

[0008] A third embodiment is a method for improving activity in a subject, which includes administering the activity-enhancing agent of the first embodiment to the subject. In one embodiment, the method for improving activity may involve administering nerol in amounts of 1 mg to 6 mg per dose, and the activity-enhancing agent may be administered orally. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an activity enhancer containing a novel active ingredient can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the examination procedure for subjective evaluation. [Figure 2] The results of evaluating the "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" state for the test beverage in Example 1 were obtained using a psychological questionnaire on a 9-point scale, and the change is shown with the pre-ingestion state set to 0. [Figure 3]The results of evaluating the "feeling mentally foggy" sensation in the test beverage of Example 1 using a psychological questionnaire and the VAS method show the change from the pre-ingestion state (set to 0). [Figure 4] The results of evaluating the "elevated mood" of the test beverage in Example 1 using a psychological questionnaire and the VAS method show the change from the pre-ingestion state (set to 0). [Figure 5] The results of evaluating the "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" state for the test beverage in Example 2 were obtained using a psychological questionnaire on a 9-point scale, and the change is shown with the pre-ingestion state set to 0. [Figure 6] The results of evaluating the "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" state for the test beverage in Example 3 were obtained using a psychological questionnaire on a 9-point scale, and the change is shown with the pre-ingestion state set to 0. [Figure 7] The results of evaluating the "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" state for the test beverage in Example 4 were obtained using a psychological questionnaire on a 9-point scale, and the change is shown with the pre-ingestion state set to 0. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the examination procedures for objective evaluation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] In this specification, the content of each component in a composition refers to the total amount of multiple substances present in the composition, unless otherwise specified, if multiple substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition. Furthermore, the upper and lower limits of the numerical ranges described herein can be arbitrarily selected and combined from the numerical values ​​exemplified as numerical ranges. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. However, the embodiments shown below are examples of activity enhancers, etc., for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the activity enhancers, etc., shown below.

[0012] Activity enhancer Activity enhancers contain nerol as an active ingredient. When a subject ingests an activity enhancer containing nerol, their activity level increases. In this specification, "increased activity level" means, for example, that the subject's psychological arousal state is enhanced. Here, psychological arousal (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as arousal) refers to a state of excitement or energy expenditure associated with emotion. Typically, psychological arousal is closely related to a person's evaluation of the importance of an event and the physical intensity of the stimulus. This psychological arousal is also represented by Russell's circumplexus model, which posits that emotions are arranged on a two-dimensional plane: a "pleasure-displeasure" axis and a "arousal-sedation" (or "activation-inactivation") axis. The ascending reticular activating system, which extends from the midbrain reticular formation to the cerebrum, is said to be involved in maintaining the psychological arousal state. Subjective evaluation results of enhanced psychological arousal include, for example, a suppression of lethargy and an increase in mood. Subjective evaluation can be assessed, for example, through psychological questionnaires. For example, it can be evaluated using a score divided into stages from "(psychological) sedation" to "(psychological) arousal" on a 9-point scale. The suppression of a feeling of fogginess can be evaluated using the VAS method by the score of items such as "feeling foggy-headed." The promotion of mood elevation can be evaluated using the VAS method by the score of items such as "feeling elevated." Furthermore, objective evaluation results of the promotion of a psychological state of arousal can be cited, for example, by an increase in the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves (beta waves / alpha waves) in electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements. It should be noted that in the state of improved activity described herein, physiological activity may also improve, or physiological activity may not improve substantially, and only psychological activity may improve. In other words, the activity enhancer may be a psychological activity enhancer.

[0013] Examples of organisms whose activity levels improve with the intake of activity-enhancing agents include mammals such as humans, and insects such as fruit flies. The subjects may include at least mammals, and mammals may or may not include humans. In other words, the subjects may be mammals including humans, humans, or non-human mammals.

[0014] The detailed mechanism by which activity levels are improved by taking activity-enhancing agents containing nerol is unknown. However, one possible mechanism is the activation of serotonin receptor 1A, for example.

[0015] Nerol is a monoterpene found in essential oils extracted from lemongrass, hops, and other plants. Its IUPAC name is (Z)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol (CAS number 106-25-2). Nerol is the cis isomer of geraniol. Nerol is said to have a weaker rose scent than geraniol and possesses a fresh, seaside aroma. Nerol is used in combination with geraniol in floral fragrance blends and as a food flavoring.

[0016] In Japan, nerol is treated as a food product, not a pharmaceutical, and is classified as a designated food additive (No. 1923) in the category of aliphatic higher alcohols (Category 7). The lowest no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) obtained from animal studies of nerol is 191 mg / kg / day, which is the result of repeated toxicity studies in rats. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) of nerol is calculated to be, for example, 1.91 mg / kg / day, which, assuming an adult weighing 50 kg, is calculated to be 95.5 mg / person / day. Furthermore, there is currently no known information regarding health damage to humans. From the above, it can be said that nerol is a compound whose safety as a food additive is guaranteed.

[0017] The content rate of nerol in the activity enhancer may be, for example, 5 ppm or more and 30 ppm or less. Preferably, it may be 10 ppm or more and 25 ppm or less. When the content rate of nerol is within the above range, there is a tendency that the activity can be further improved.

[0018] In addition to nerol, the activity enhancer may further contain geraniol which is a structural isomer of nerol. The content rate of geraniol in the activity enhancer is not particularly limited as long as the effect of improving the activity can be obtained, and may be, for example, in the range included as an impurity in the available nerol.

[0019] In addition to nerol, the activity enhancer may contain at least water as a solvent. By containing water, for example, nerol can be ingested more efficiently. The content rate of water in the activity enhancer may be, for example, 90% by mass or more and 99.9995% by mass or less, preferably 99% by mass or more, or 99.997% by mass or more.

[0020] The state of the activity enhancer can be set to a desired state, and it may be in any state such as liquid state, solid state, semi-solid state (for example, gel state), etc.

[0021] In addition to nerol, the activity enhancer may further contain other active ingredients. The other active ingredients may be those having an activity improving effect, an activity enhancing effect, etc. Examples of the other active ingredients include caffeine and the like.

[0022] The activity enhancer may substantially not contain other active ingredients other than nerol. Substantially not containing other active ingredients means that the content of the other active ingredients is less than the amount showing the activity improving effect.

[0023] The activity enhancer may contain carbon dioxide gas, fragrance, acidulant, sweetener, coloring agent, antioxidant, pH adjuster, various nutritional components, etc. as necessary. Details of these components will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, the activity enhancer may be in any dosage form, such as powder, granules, tablets, capsules, lozenges, syrups, liquids, or injections. The method of administration should be selected from the commonly used routes of administration, depending on the dosage form of the activity enhancer. Examples of routes of administration for the activity enhancer include oral administration. Oral administration is preferred. The activity enhancer can be easily obtained by being taken orally.

[0025] The amount of activity enhancer ingested by the subject may be, for example, 1 mg to 6 mg per dose, preferably 2 mg to 5 mg, as the amount of nerol that can be obtained to enhance the activity of the subject. The activity enhancer may be ingested once a day or several times a day. The duration of intake may be, for example, one day or more, preferably one week or more, and more preferably one month or more.

[0026] Activity enhancers can be prepared by incorporating nerol into a composition having a desired composition. Nerol may be incorporated into the composition using nerol itself, or it may be incorporated into the composition using essential oils containing nerol. The method of incorporating nerol should be appropriately selected depending on the composition in which it is to be incorporated.

[0027] Foods and beverages for improving activity Foods and beverages used to improve activity levels contain nerol as an active ingredient. Ingesting foods and beverages containing nerol provides an activity-enhancing effect. Foods and beverages containing nerol include general foods and beverages, health foods and beverages, and functional foods and beverages. Preferably, the food or beverage is a functional food or beverage. "Functional foods and beverages" refers to foods and beverages that have a certain function on the body, and includes, for example, health functional foods including Foods for Specified Health Uses (including conditionally designated FOSHU [Foods for Specified Health Uses]) and nutritional function foods, special-purpose foods and beverages, nutritional supplements and beverages, health supplements and beverages, supplements (in various dosage forms such as tablets, coated tablets, sugar-coated tablets, capsules and liquids), and beauty foods and beverages (e.g., diet foods and beverages), encompassing all so-called health foods and beverages. Functional foods and beverages also include health foods to which health claims based on Codex Alimentarius (FAO / WHO Joint Food Standards Committee) food standards apply.

[0028] Examples of food and beverages are not limited to these, but include health foods and beverages in the form of tablets, chewable tablets, powders, capsules, granules, and drinks (supplements, nutritional supplements, health foods, nutritional adjustment foods, etc.), soft drinks, tea drinks, jelly drinks, sports drinks, coffee drinks, carbonated drinks, vegetable drinks, fruit juice drinks, fermented vegetable drinks, fermented fruit juice drinks, fermented milk drinks (such as yogurt), lactic acid bacteria drinks, milk drinks, powdered drinks, cocoa drinks, confectionery (for example, biscuits and cookies, chocolate, candy, chewing gum, gummies, tablets), and jelly.

[0029] The food or beverage may be a liquid beverage. If the food or beverage is a beverage, the nerol concentration in the beverage may be, for example, 5 ppm or more and 30 ppm or less, preferably 10 ppm or more, or 25 ppm or less.

[0030] The beverage is composed of, for example, nerol and a liquid medium such as water or fruit juice. The beverage may be, for example, tea beverages such as green tea, oolong tea, and black tea, soft drinks, jelly drinks, sports drinks, milk drinks, carbonated drinks, vegetable drinks, fruit juice drinks, fermented vegetable drinks, fermented fruit juice drinks, fermented milk drinks (such as yogurt), lactic acid bacteria drinks, milk drinks (such as coffee milk and fruit milk), powdered drinks, cocoa drinks, alcoholic beverages, etc., and may be a beverage containing the composition and using milk, purified water, etc. as the liquid medium.

[0031] Food and beverages may contain sweeteners to adjust the sweetness. The sweetener may be sugar, and is not limited to any commonly used sugar, such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, fructooligosaccharides, and galactooligosaccharides. Alternatively, commonly used synthetic sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin may be added instead of sugar. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0032] Food and beverages may contain acidulants. The acidulants are not particularly limited to those commonly used, and examples include citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, glucono delta-lactone, gluconic acid, phosphoric acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, phytic acid, lactic acid, or salts thereof. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0033] Food and beverages may contain flavorings. The flavorings are not limited to commonly used flavorings, and examples include citrus oils such as lemon, lime, and orange, orange oil, and herbal extracts. The flavorings may be natural or synthetic. Natural flavorings are not limited to commonly used natural flavorings, and examples include anise oil, angelica oil, allspice oil, orange oil, cassia oil, capsicum oil, guarana extract, cardamom oil, caraway oil, cumin oil, clary sage oil, grapefruit oil, clove oil, coriander oil, coffee oil, cognac oil, cola nut extract, cinnamon oil, ginger oil, thyme oil, nutmeg oil, peppermint oil, vanilla extract, bitter almond oil, fenugreek oil, fennel oil, pepper oil, peppermint oil, perilla oil, bergamot oil, mandarin oil, eucalyptus oil, lemon oil, and rosemary oil. You may use only one of these, or you may use two or more in combination.

[0034] The synthetic fragrances are not particularly limited as long as they are commonly used synthetic fragrances, and examples include allyl caproate, γ-undecalactone, ethyl vanillin, ethyl butyrate, ethylphenylglycidate, eugenol, geraniol, diacetyl, cyclotene, cinnamic aldehyde, terpineol, δ-decalactone, decanal, nonanal, γ-nonalactone, furaneol, furfuryl mercaptan, 2-hexenal, 3-hexenol, heliotropin, perillaldehyde, benzaldehyde, maltol, methyl anthranilate, methyl salicylate, menthol, α-ionone, linalool, etc.

[0035] Food and beverages may contain coloring agents. The coloring agents used are not limited to those commonly used; for example, caramel coloring is one such agent. One or more coloring agents may be used.

[0036] Food and beverages may contain antioxidants. The antioxidants used are not particularly limited to those commonly used, and examples include L-ascorbic acid and tocopherol. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more.

[0037] Food and beverages may contain pH adjusters. The pH adjuster is not particularly limited to any commonly used pH adjuster; examples include phosphoric acid and lactic acid. One or more of these may be used.

[0038] How to improve your activity The method for improving activity levels includes administering an activity-enhancing agent containing nerol to the subject. Upon ingestion of the activity-enhancing agent, the subject's activity level improves due to the action of nerol, the active ingredient. Details of the composition of the activity-enhancing agent are as previously described.

[0039] Methods of administering activity-enhancing agents in methods for improving activity include oral administration, nasal administration, rectal administration, intravenous injection, and intravenous infusion. Oral administration is preferred.

[0040] The amount of activity enhancer ingested in the activity enhancement method may be, for example, 1 mg to 6 mg of nerol per dose, preferably 2 mg to 5 mg. The activity enhancer may be ingested once a day or several times a day.

[0041] Examples of subjects for methods to improve activity include mammals such as humans, and insects such as fruit flies. The subjects may include at least mammals, and mammals may or may not include humans. In other words, the subjects may be mammals including humans, humans, or non-human mammals.

[0042] In another aspect, the present invention also includes the use of nerol in the manufacture of activity enhancers used in activity enhancement methods, and the use of activity enhancers containing nerol as an active ingredient in activity enhancement methods.

[0043] The invention relating to this disclosure may encompass, for example, the following embodiments: [1] An activity enhancer containing nerol. [2] The activity enhancer described in [1], wherein the nerol content is 5 ppm or more and 30 ppm or less. [3] The activity enhancer according to [1] or [2], further comprising water. [4] An activity enhancer as described in any of [1] to [3], wherein the intake of nerol is 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less per dose. [5] An activity enhancer described in any of [1] to [4], which is taken orally. [6] An activity enhancer described in any of [1] to [5] that suppresses a feeling of drowsiness. [7] An activity enhancer according to any one of claims 1 or 2 of [1] to [6], which elevates mood. [8] An activity enhancer according to any one of [1] to [7] that increases the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalography. [9] Food and beverages containing nerol to improve activity levels.

[10] A method for improving the activity level of a subject, comprising administering an activity-enhancing agent described in any of [1] to [8] to the subject.

[11] The method for improving activity described in

[10] , wherein the intake of nerol is 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less per serving.

[12] The method for improving activity according to

[10] or

[11] , wherein the activity-improving agent is administered orally. [Examples]

[0044] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0045] Test Example 1 (Subjective Evaluation) In Study Example 1, each subject consumed one of the test beverages, and their subjective evaluations were obtained using a psychological questionnaire. Study Example 1 was conducted as a single-dose crossover comparative study with 42 healthy Japanese men and women aged 20 to 39. The study was conducted after obtaining written informed consent from the subjects. The study method and results of Study Example 1 are shown below.

[0046] Test method In Test Example 1, as shown in Table 1, commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) and an aqueous solution containing nerol at a concentration of 10 ppm in commercially available drinking water (same as Comparative Example 1) were used as test beverages. The test was conducted twice with an interval of at least 12 hours, and participants were randomly given one of the test beverages. Ingestion of the test beverage in Example 1 corresponds to the intake of 2 mg of nerol.

[0047] [Table 1]

[0048] In conducting this study, participants were instructed to refrain from alcohol consumption, excessive exercise, restricting their diet, and overeating from the day before the study, and to maintain their sleep duration and quality as close to their normal sleep as possible.

[0049] Participants were instructed to finish their meals on the day of the test at least two hours before the start of the test, and were prohibited from consuming anything other than water after two hours prior to the start of the test. In addition, they were instructed to refrain from consuming stimulants such as chili peppers, as well as caffeinated beverages such as energy drinks, coffee, black tea, and green tea, at least two hours prior to the start of the test. Participants were also instructed not to use scented products such as perfume, hair products, hand cream, and fabric softener, and to wear similar clothing for each test.

[0050] The procedure for the study is shown in Figure 1. At the study site, subjects drank 50 mL of commercially available drinking water and waited quietly for 5 minutes. Then, they ingested 200 mL of either Comparative Example 1 or Example 1 of the test beverage over 15 minutes, and waited quietly for 30 minutes after the end of consumption. A psychological questionnaire was administered to the subjects before ingesting the test beverage, after taking a sip, after ingesting the entire amount, 15 minutes after the end of consumption, and 30 minutes after the end of consumption. Subsequently, the same psychological questionnaire was administered using a different test beverage than the one previously ingested. The test beverages were randomly assigned to each subject, and each test beverage was administered once.

[0051] The psychological questionnaire was administered using a 9-point scale and a VAS (Visual Analog Scale). In the 9-point scale, participants were asked to rate two items: "pleasant to unpleasant" and "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal." In the 9-point scale, participants were previously informed that (psychological) sedation was a state of feeling relaxed, calm, slow, and sleepy, while (psychological) arousal was a state of excitement, enthusiasm, anxiety, and being wide awake. A score of 1 represented a complete state of sedation, and a score of 9 represented a complete state of (psychological) arousal, with each increment between (psychological) sedation and (psychological) arousal ranging from 2 to 8 points. In the VAS method, subjects were asked to rate 12 items: "relaxed," "uplifted," "want to talk to someone," "mind foggy," "concentrated," "calm," "sleepy," "physically tired," "mentally tired," "feel like my face is warm," "feel like my body is warm," and "burning sensation in my mouth or gastrointestinal tract."

[0052] Test results The results of Test Example 1 are shown in Figures 2 to 4. In Test Example 1, statistical significance testing for differences between groups was performed using paired t-tests on the mean values ​​of each group. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant, and p<0.1 was considered statistically significant. In Test Example 1, data analysis was performed using the SciPy library (ver. 1.6.2) of the Python language. Unless otherwise specified, the same statistical significance testing method was used in subsequent test examples.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the score for "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" was significantly higher in the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 30 minutes after ingestion compared with the group that consumed the test beverage of Comparative Example 1. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the score for "feeling mentally foggy" was significantly lower in the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 immediately after ingestion compared with the group that consumed the test beverage of Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the score for "feeling euphoric" was higher in the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 30 minutes after ingestion compared with the group that consumed the test beverage of Comparative Example 1, and a significant trend was observed. From these findings, it was confirmed that the test beverage of Example 1 had an effect of improving activity (an effect of promoting a state of psychological arousal).

[0054] Example 2 (Subjective Evaluation Dose Study 1) In Study Example 2, each test beverage was administered to each subject, and each subject's subjective evaluation was obtained using a psychological questionnaire. Study Example 2 was conducted as a single-dose crossover comparative study with 40 healthy Japanese men and women aged 20 to 39 as subjects. The study was conducted after obtaining written informed consent from the subjects. The study method and results of Study Example 2 are shown below.

[0055] Test method As shown in Table 2, in Test Example 2, commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) and a test solution (Example 2) containing nerol at a concentration of 30 ppm in commercially available drinking water (same as Comparative Example 1) were used as test beverages. The test was conducted twice with an interval of at least 12 hours between each test, and in each test, one of the test beverages was randomly administered. Ingestion of the test beverage in Example 2 corresponds to the intake of 6 mg of nerol. The subsequent evaluation method was carried out in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

[0056] [Table 2]

[0057] Test results The results of Test Example 2 are shown in Figure 5. The score for "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" was significantly higher in the group that consumed the test beverage in Example 2 compared to the group that consumed the test beverage in Comparative Example 1, both after total intake and 15 minutes after intake.

[0058] Test Example 3 (Subjective Evaluation Dose Study 2) In Study Example 3, each test beverage was administered to each subject, and each subject's subjective evaluation was obtained using a psychological questionnaire. In Study Example 3, a single-dose crossover comparative study was conducted using eight healthy Japanese men and two healthy Japanese women aged 26 to 61 for the test beverage in Example 3, and nine healthy Japanese men and two healthy Japanese women aged 26 to 61 for the test beverage in Example 4. The study was conducted after obtaining written informed consent from the subjects. The specific study method and results are described below.

[0059] Test method As shown in Table 3, in Test Example 3, commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) was used as the test beverage. In addition, an aqueous solution containing nerol at a concentration of 5 ppm in commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) (Example 3) and an aqueous solution containing nerol at a concentration of 20 ppm in commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) (Example 4) were used as test beverages. The test was a two-group crossover comparative study of Comparative Example 1 and the other test beverages, and participants were randomly given one of the two test beverages at an interval of 12 hours or more. The intake of the test beverages in Example 3 and Example 4 corresponds to the intake of 1 mg and 4 mg of nerol, respectively. Subsequent evaluations were carried out in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

[0060] [Table 3]

[0061] Test results Figures 6 and 7 show the results of consuming the test beverages in Example 3 and Example 4, respectively. The group that consumed the test beverages in Example 3 or Example 4 had a significantly higher score for "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) arousal" compared to the group that consumed the test beverage in Comparative Example 1. This result confirms that consuming the test beverages in Example 3 or Example 4 improves activity levels.

[0062] Based on the results of Test Examples 2 and 3, it was concluded that the activity-enhancing effect of nerol (the effect of promoting psychological arousal) is particularly strong at concentrations between 5 ppm and 30 ppm.

[0063] Test Example 4 (Objective Evaluation: Electroencephalogram Measurement Test) In Study Example 4, each subject was given a test beverage, and the electroencephalogram (EEG) of each subject was measured. Study Example 4 was conducted as a single-dose crossover comparative study with 24 males and females aged 20 to under 35 years. The study was conducted after obtaining written informed consent from the subjects. The study method and results of Study Example 4 are shown below.

[0064] Test method In Test Example 4, as shown in Table 1, commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) and a test solution (Example 1) containing nerol at a concentration of 10 ppm in commercially available drinking water (same as Comparative Example 1) were used as test beverages. The test was conducted twice with an interval of at least 12 hours between each test, and one of the test beverages was randomly administered in each test. Ingestion of the test beverage in Example 1 corresponds to the intake of 2 mg of nerol.

[0065] In conducting Study Example 4, participants were instructed to refrain from drinking alcohol, excessive exercise, restricting their diet, and overeating from the day before the study, and to maintain the same amount and quality of sleep as usual.

[0066] Participants were instructed to finish their meals at least two hours before the start of the test, and were prohibited from consuming anything other than water after two hours prior to the start of the test. In addition, they were instructed to refrain from consuming stimulants such as chili peppers, as well as caffeinated beverages such as energy drinks, coffee, black tea, and green tea, on the day of the test. Participants were also instructed not to use scented products such as perfume, hair products, hand cream, and fabric softener, and to wear similar clothing for each test.

[0067] Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were measured according to the conditions shown in Figure 8. Subjects wore an EEG device (PGV Corporation, model number: HARU-2) and underwent a 5-minute rest period followed by a 1-minute questionnaire. Next, they ingested 200 mL of the test beverage over 5 minutes, and then remained at rest except for 1-minute questionnaires immediately after ingestion, 15 minutes after ingestion, 30 minutes after ingestion, and 45 minutes after ingestion. EEGs were measured from before ingestion of the test beverage until 45 minutes after ingestion. A similar measurement was performed one more time, with the beverages randomly assigned to each subject and each beverage consumed once.

[0068] For the electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis, data from questionnaires and consumption that may affect EEG were excluded from the analysis. EEG data measured before and during the resting period after ingestion were analyzed using the Python MNE library (ver. 1.3.0) to calculate the β / α ratio from 2 minutes of data. No exclusions were found; all cases were included in the analysis.

[0069] Test results The results of Test Example 4 are shown in Table 4. In Test Example 4, statistical significance testing for differences between groups was performed using paired t-tests on the mean values ​​of each group. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. In Test Example 4, data analysis was performed using the SciPy library (ver. 1.6.2) of the Python language and Microsoft Excel.

[0070] [Table 4]

[0071] As shown in Table 4, the β / α ratio 17 to 18 minutes after the end of ingestion was significantly higher in the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 compared to the group that consumed the beverage of Comparative Example 1 (p<0.05). This result was similar to the timing of the onset of psychological evaluation in Example 1.

[0072] According to Cunningham et al. (Journal of Mental Imagery, 2000, 24(1&2) 61-72), an increase in the β / α ratio reflects improved physiological arousal. Therefore, the results of Test Example 4 confirmed, using objective physiological indicators, that the consumption of the test beverage in Example 1 improved the activity of the subjects, i.e., promoted psychological arousal.

[0073] Reference example Geraniol, an isomer of nerol, and α-terpineol and linalool, which are degradation products of nerol, were each tested using 10 ppm aqueous solutions in 20 healthy Japanese men and women aged 20 to 39 years, using the same method as in Test Example 4. As a result, no activity-enhancing effect was observed for geraniol, α-terpineol, and linalool.

[0074] Manufacturing Example 1 A beverage for improving activity was prepared according to the formulation shown in Table 5.

[0075] [Table 5]

[0076] Manufacturing Example 2 A beverage for improving activity was prepared according to the recipe shown in Table 6.

[0077] [Table 6]

[0078] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-122797 (filing date: July 27, 2023) is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard had been specifically and individually noted to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. It contains nerol as an active ingredient, The nerol content is between 5 ppm and 30 ppm. Ingested orally, An activity enhancer that promotes a psychological state of arousal.

2. The activity-enhancing agent according to claim 1, wherein the nerol content is 10 ppm or more and 25 ppm or less.

3. The activity enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising water.

4. The activity enhancer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of nerol ingested per dose is 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less.

5. An activity-enhancing agent according to claim 1 or 2, which suppresses a feeling of lethargy.

6. An activity-enhancing agent according to claim 1 or 2, which elevates mood.

7. An activity-enhancing agent according to claim 1 or 2, which increases the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalogram measurements.

8. Contains nerol, The nerol content is between 5 ppm and 30 ppm. Ingested orally, Food and beverages designed to enhance activity levels and promote a psychological state of arousal.

9. A method for improving activity in a subject (excluding humans), comprising administering the activity-enhancing agent described in claim 1 or 2 to the subject.

10. The method for improving activity according to claim 9, wherein the intake of nerol is 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less per serving.

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