Activity improver and food and drink for improving activity

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

Activity enhancers and food and beverages for improving activity

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

[0002] Neroli essential oil, extracted from the flowers of bitter orange, an evergreen tree in 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, rose-like scent and is used as a fragrance. Nerol is also extracted from lemongrass, hops, and other plants, in addition to neroli essential oil. For example, International Publication No. 2015 / 025902 proposes a method for producing a transnasal brain function regulator using lemongrass extract for improving the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, JP 2021-512205 A discloses that fragrance accords containing nerol improve sleep. Furthermore, in the Abstracts of the 141st Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 29P01-119S, "Functional analysis of lemongrass aromatic components that affect cerebral blood flow," it was found that cerebral blood flow increased significantly when humans were exposed to nerol and geraniol, aromatic components contained in lemongrass cell extract, suggesting that this may contribute to the development of new prevention and treatment methods for dementia.

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

[0004] A first aspect is a stamina enhancer containing nerol as an active ingredient. In one aspect, the stamina enhancer may have a nerol content of 5 ppm to 30 ppm and may contain water as a solvent. In another aspect, the stamina enhancer may contain nerol in an amount of 1 mg to 6 mg per dose and may be taken orally.

[0005] In one embodiment, the activity enhancer may suppress drowsiness, elevate mood, or increase the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements.

[0006] A second aspect is a food or beverage for improving activity that contains nerol as an active ingredient. In one aspect, the food or beverage for improving activity may have a nerol content of 5 ppm to 30 ppm and may contain water as a solvent. In another aspect, 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 aspect, the food or beverage for improving activity may suppress a feeling of drowsiness, may elevate mood, or may increase the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements.

[0008] A third aspect is a method for improving activity in a subject, comprising having the subject ingest the activity-enhancing agent of the first aspect. In one aspect, the method for improving activity may involve orally ingesting the activity-enhancing agent, with the amount of nerol ingested being 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less per dose.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an activity enhancer containing a novel active ingredient.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the test procedure for subjective evaluation. For the test beverage of Example 1, the results of evaluating "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness" using a 9-point scale in a psychological questionnaire show the amount of change when the value before ingestion is set to 0. For the test beverage of Example 1, the results of evaluating "feeling dizzy" using a VAS method in a psychological questionnaire show the amount of change when the value before ingestion is set to 0. For the test beverage of Example 1, the results of evaluating "feeling elated" using a VAS method in a psychological questionnaire show the amount of change when the value before ingestion is set to 0. For the test beverage of Example 2, the results of evaluating "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness" using a 9-point scale show the amount of change when the value before ingestion is set to 0. For the test beverage of Example 3, the results of evaluating "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness" using a 9-point scale in a psychological questionnaire show the amount of change when the value before ingestion is set to 0. 1 shows the results of a psychological questionnaire in which the test beverage of Example 4 was evaluated using a 9-point scale on "from (psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness," and shows the amount of change when the value before ingestion is set to 0. FIG. 1 shows the test procedure for objective evaluation.

[0011] In this specification, when a composition contains multiple substances corresponding to each component, the content of each component refers to the total amount of the multiple substances present in the composition, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the upper and lower limits of the numerical ranges described in this specification can be arbitrarily selected and combined from the numerical values ​​exemplified as numerical ranges. The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments described below are intended to exemplify activity enhancers and the like in order to embody the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the activity enhancers and the like described below.

[0012] Activity Enhancers Activity enhancers contain nerol as an active ingredient. When a subject ingests an activity enhancer containing nerol, the subject's activity level is enhanced. As used herein, "enhancing activity" refers to, for example, promoting psychological arousal in the subject. Here, psychological arousal (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as arousal) refers to an emotionally-associated state of excitement or energy expenditure. Psychological arousal is typically closely related to a person's assessment of the importance of an event and the physical intensity of the stimulus. This psychological arousal is also illustrated by Russell's circumplex model, which positions emotions two-dimensionally along the "pleasure-discomfort" axis and the "arousal-calming" (or "activation-deactivation") axis. The ascending reticular activating system, which runs from the midbrain reticular formation to the cerebrum, is believed to be involved in maintaining psychological arousal. Subjective assessments of the promotion of psychological arousal include, for example, suppression of drowsiness and promotion of mood elevation. Subjective assessments can be performed, for example, using psychological questionnaires. For example, evaluation can be performed using a 9-point scale, with scores ranging from "(psychological) sedation" to "(psychological) awakening." Suppression of absent-mindedness can be evaluated using a VAS with scores for items such as "feeling foggy-headed." Promotion of mood elevation can be evaluated using a VAS with scores for items such as "feeling elated." Furthermore, objective evaluation results for promoting psychological awakening can include, for example, an increase in the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves (beta waves / alpha waves) in electroencephalography. In the present specification, the state of increased activity may also include an increase in physiological activity, or may include an increase in only psychological activity without a substantial increase in physiological activity. That is, the activity enhancer may be a psychological activity enhancer.

[0013] Examples of subjects whose activity can be improved by ingesting an activity-enhancing agent include mammals such as humans, and insects such as fruit flies. The subject may include at least a mammal, and the mammal may or may not include a human. That is, the subject may be a mammal including a human, or may be a human or a non-human mammal.

[0014] The mechanism by which ingesting a nerol-containing activity enhancer improves activity is unclear, but it is thought that it may activate serotonin receptor 1A, for example.

[0015] Nerol is a monoterpene found in essential oils extracted from lemongrass, hops, etc., and 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 has a weaker rose scent than geraniol and is said to have a fresh seaside scent. Nerol is used in combination with geraniol in floral compound fragrances, as well as in food flavorings.

[0016] In Japan, nerol is treated as a food product rather than a drug, and is classified as a designated food additive (No. 1923) in Category 7 aliphatic higher alcohols. The lowest NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) obtained in animal experiments for nerol is 191 mg / kg / day, the result of repeated toxicity tests on rats. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) for nerol has been calculated as 1.91 mg / kg / day, for example, and assuming an adult weighing 50 kg, this is calculated as 95.5 mg / person / day. Furthermore, no information on health hazards to humans is currently known. Based on the above, it can be said that nerol is a compound whose safety as a food additive is guaranteed.

[0017] The nerol content in the activity enhancer may be, for example, 5 ppm or more and 30 ppm or less, and preferably 10 ppm or more and 25 ppm or less. When the nerol content is within the above range, activity tends to be further improved.

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

[0019] The activity enhancer may contain at least water as a solvent in addition to nerol. By including water, for example, nerol can be more efficiently ingested. The water content 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 activity enhancer may be in any desired state, such as a liquid, solid, or semi-solid (eg, gel).

[0021] The activity enhancer may further contain other active ingredients in addition to nerol. The other active ingredients may have an activity enhancing effect or an activity enhancing effect. Examples of other active ingredients include caffeine.

[0022] The activity enhancer may be substantially free of other active ingredients other than nerol, which means that the content of other active ingredients is less than the amount that exhibits an activity enhancing effect.

[0023] The activity enhancer may optionally contain carbon dioxide gas, flavorings, acidulants, sweeteners, colorings, antioxidants, pH adjusters, various nutritional components, etc. 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, syrup, liquid, or injection. The method of ingestion may be selected from commonly used ingestion routes depending on the dosage form of the activity enhancer. Examples of ingestion routes for the activity enhancer include oral administration. The ingestion route is preferably oral administration. Since the activity enhancer can be taken orally, the activity enhancing effect can be easily obtained.

[0025] The amount of nerol ingested by a subject to achieve an activity-enhancing effect may be, for example, 1 mg to 6 mg per dose, preferably 2 mg to 5 mg. The activity-enhancing agent may be ingested once a day or several times a day. The ingestion period may be, for example, one day or more, preferably one week or more, and more preferably one month or more.

[0026] The activity enhancer can be prepared by incorporating nerol into a composition having a desired composition. Nerol may be incorporated into the composition using nerol itself, or may be incorporated into the composition using essential oils containing nerol. The method for incorporating nerol may be appropriately selected depending on the composition to be incorporated.

[0027] Foods and beverages for improving activity. Foods and beverages used to improve activity contain nerol as an active ingredient. Ingestion of foods and beverages containing nerol enhances activity. Foods and beverages containing nerol include general foods and beverages, health foods and beverages, and functional foods and beverages. The foods and beverages may preferably be functional foods and beverages. "Functional foods and beverages" refers to foods and beverages that have a certain functionality in the body, and includes, for example, foods and beverages designated as specified health uses (including conditional FOSHUs [specified health foods]) and functional nutritional foods and beverages, special dietary foods and beverages, dietary supplements, health supplements, supplements (e.g., tablets, coated tablets, sugar-coated tablets, capsules, and liquids), and beauty foods and beverages (e.g., diet foods and beverages). Functional foods and beverages also include health foods and beverages to which a health claim based on the Codex Alimentarius (Joint FAO / WHO Food Standards Commission) applies.

[0028] Examples of foods and beverages include, but are not limited to, health foods and beverages (such as supplements, nutritional supplements, health supplements, and nutritionally balanced foods) in the form of tablets, tablets, chewable tablets, powders, capsules, granules, and drinks, as well as 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, sweets (such as biscuits, cookies, chocolate, candy, chewing gum, gummies, and tablets), and jellies.

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

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

[0031] The food or drink may contain a sweetener to adjust the sweetness. The sweetener may be a sugar, and the sugar is not particularly limited as long as it is a commonly used sugar, and examples thereof include sucrose, glucose, fructose, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, etc. Alternatively, commonly used synthetic sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharin may be added instead of sugar. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0032] The food or drink may contain an acidulant. The acidulant is not particularly limited as long as it is a commonly used acidulant, and examples thereof include citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, glucono-delta-lactone, gluconic acid, phosphoric acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, phytic acid, lactic acid, and salts thereof. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0033] The food or beverage may contain a flavoring. The flavoring may be any commonly used flavoring, and is not particularly limited thereto. Examples thereof include citrus oils such as lemon, lime, and orange, orange oil, and herb extracts. The flavoring may be a natural flavoring or a synthetic flavoring. The natural flavoring may be any commonly used natural flavoring, and is not particularly limited thereto. Examples thereof 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. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0034] The synthetic fragrance is not particularly limited as long as it is a commonly used synthetic fragrance, and examples thereof include allyl caproate, γ-undecalactone, ethyl vanillin, ethyl butyrate, ethyl phenylglycidate, 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, and linalool.

[0035] The food or beverage may contain a coloring agent. The coloring agent is not particularly limited as long as it is a commonly used coloring agent, and examples thereof include caramel color, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0036] The food or drink may contain an antioxidant. The antioxidant is not particularly limited as long as it is a commonly used antioxidant, and examples thereof include L-ascorbic acid, tocopherol, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] The food or drink may contain a pH adjuster. The pH adjuster is not particularly limited as long as it is a commonly used pH adjuster, and examples thereof include phosphoric acid, lactic acid, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0038] The activity-improving method includes having a subject ingest an activity-improving agent containing nerol. When the subject ingests the activity-improving agent, the activity of the subject is improved by the action of the active ingredient, nerol. The details of the composition of the activity-improving agent are as described above.

[0039] The method of taking the activity enhancer in the activity enhancing method may include oral ingestion, nasal administration, rectal administration, intravenous injection, drip infusion, etc. The method of ingestion may be preferably oral ingestion.

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

[0041] Examples of subjects in the activity-enhancing method include mammals such as humans, and insects such as fruit flies. The subject may include at least a mammal, and the mammal may or may not include a human. That is, the subject may be a mammal including a human, a human, or a non-human mammal.

[0042] Other aspects of the present invention include the use of nerol in the manufacture of an activity enhancer for use in a method for improving activity, and the use of an activity enhancer containing nerol as an active ingredient in a method for improving activity.

[0043] The invention according to the present disclosure may include, for example, the following aspects. [1] An activity enhancer containing nerol. [2] The activity enhancer according to [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 containing water. [4] The activity enhancer according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the amount of nerol taken per serving is 1 mg or more and 6 mg or less. [5] The activity enhancer according to any one of [1] to [4], which is taken orally. [6] The activity enhancer according to any one of [1] to [5], which suppresses a feeling of absentmindedness. [7] The activity enhancer according to any one of claims 1 or 2, [1] to [6], which elevates mood. [8] The activity enhancer according to any one of [1] to [7], which increases the intensity ratio of beta waves to alpha waves in electroencephalogram measurement. [9] An activity-enhancing food or beverage containing nerol.

[10] A method for improving activity in a subject, comprising having the subject ingest the activity enhancer according to any one of [1] to [8].

[11] The method for improving activity according to

[10] , wherein the amount of nerol ingested per dose is 1 mg to 6 mg.

[12] The method for improving activity according to

[10] or

[11] , wherein the activity enhancer is orally ingested.

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

[0045] Test Example 1 (Subjective Evaluation) In Test Example 1, each test beverage was consumed by each subject, and each subject's subjective evaluation was obtained by a psychological questionnaire. Test Example 1 was conducted as a single-dose crossover comparative study with 42 healthy Japanese men and women aged 20 to 39 years old. The subjects provided written informed consent before the study was conducted. The test method and results of Test Example 1 are described below.

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

[0047]

[0048] In conducting this study, subjects were instructed to refrain from drinking alcohol, excessive exercise, and dieting or overeating from the day before the study, and to try to maintain the same amount and quality of sleep as usual as much as possible.

[0049] Subjects were instructed to finish their meals two hours before the start of the test and to refrain from consuming anything other than water within two hours of the test. They were also instructed to stop consuming stimulants such as chili peppers, as well as caffeine-containing beverages such as energy drinks, coffee, black tea, and green tea, two hours before the test. Subjects were also instructed not to use scented products such as perfume, hair styling products, hand cream, and fabric softener, and to wear similar clothing during each test.

[0050] The test procedure is shown in Figure 1. Subjects drank 50 mL of commercially available drinking water at the test site and were allowed to rest for 5 minutes. They then consumed 200 mL of either the test beverage of Comparative Example 1 or Example 1 over 15 minutes, and were allowed to rest for 30 minutes after the end of the drinking period. Psychological questionnaires were administered to the subjects before ingesting the test beverage, after ingesting a sip, after ingesting the entire amount, 15 minutes after the end of ingestion, and 30 minutes after the end of ingestion. Subsequently, the psychological questionnaires were administered using a test beverage different from the one previously ingested, using the same procedure. The test beverages to be ingested were randomly assigned to each subject, and the test was conducted by having each subject ingest each test beverage once.

[0051] The psychological questionnaire was conducted using a nine-point scale and a visual analogue scale (VAS). The nine-point scale required subjects to evaluate two items: "pleasant to unpleasant" and "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness." For the nine-point scale, subjects were asked to indicate in advance that (psychological) sedation was a state of feeling relaxed, calm, sluggish, and sleepy, and that (psychological) alertness was a state of excitement, enthusiasm, nervousness, and alertness. A score of 1 was assigned to the subject's complete sedation, and a score of 9 was assigned to the subject's complete (psychological) alertness, with a scale ranging from 2 to 8, with each point between (psychological) sedation and (psychological) alertness representing a single point. Using the VAS method, subjects were asked to rate 12 items: "relaxed," "elevated," "want to talk to someone," "fuzzy head," "concentrated," "calm," "sleepy," "physically tired," "mentally tired," "feeling like my face is hot (my face is warm)," "feeling like my body temperature is hot (my whole body is warm)," and "burning sensation in my mouth and stomach."

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

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 had a significantly higher score for "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness" 30 minutes after ingestion than the group that consumed the test beverage of Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 had a significantly lower score for "feeling foggy headed" immediately after ingestion than the group that consumed the test beverage of Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the group that consumed the test beverage of Example 1 had a higher score for "feeling elated" 30 minutes after ingestion than the group that consumed the test beverage of Comparative Example 1, confirming a significant trend. These findings confirmed the activity-enhancing effect (promoting a state of psychological alertness) of ingestion of the test beverage of Example 1.

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

[0055] Test Method As shown in Table 2, in Test Example 2, the test beverages used were a commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) and a test solution (Example 2) in which commercially available drinking water (the same as Comparative Example 1) contained nerol at a concentration of 30 ppm. The test was conducted twice, with an interval of at least 12 hours, and subjects were randomly assigned to ingest one of the test beverages each time. Ingestion of the test beverage in Example 2 corresponds to the ingestion of 6 mg of nerol. Subsequent evaluation methods were the same as in Test Example 1.

[0056]

[0057] Test Results The test results for Test Example 2 are shown in Figure 5. The scores for "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness" were significantly higher in the group that ingested the test beverage of Example 2 than in the group that ingested the test beverage of Comparative Example 1, both after ingesting the entire amount and 15 minutes after ingestion.

[0058] Test Example 3 (Subjective Evaluation Dose Test 2) In Test Example 3, each test beverage was consumed by each subject, and each subject's subjective evaluation was obtained by a psychological questionnaire. In Test Example 3, eight healthy Japanese males and two healthy Japanese females aged 26 to 61 were used as subjects for the consumption of the test beverage of Example 3, and nine healthy Japanese males and two healthy Japanese females aged 26 to 61 were used as subjects for the consumption of the test beverage of Example 4. A single-dose crossover comparative study was conducted. Written informed consent was obtained from the subjects before the study was conducted. The specific test method and results of this study 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. Also used as test beverages were an aqueous solution of commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) containing nerol at a concentration of 5 ppm (Example 3), and an aqueous solution of commercially available drinking water (Comparative Example 1) containing nerol at a concentration of 20 ppm (Example 4). The test was a two-group crossover comparison study of Comparative Example 1 and the other test beverages, with subjects randomly ingesting one of the two test beverages with an interval of at least 12 hours. Intake of the test beverages in Examples 3 and 4 corresponds to intake of 1 mg and 4 mg of nerol, respectively. Subsequent evaluations were performed in the same manner as in Test Example 1.

[0060]

[0061] Test Results The results of ingestion of the test beverages of Example 3 and Example 4 are shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. The group that ingested the test beverages of Example 3 or Example 4 had significantly higher scores for "(psychological) sedation to (psychological) alertness" compared to the group that ingested the test beverage of Comparative Example 1. These results confirmed the activity-enhancing effect of ingestion of the test beverages of Example 3 or Example 4.

[0062] From the results of Test Examples 2 and 3, it was considered that the activity-enhancing effect of nerol (the effect of promoting psychological alertness) was particularly strong at concentrations of 5 ppm to 30 ppm.

[0063] Test Example 4 (Objective Evaluation: Electroencephalogram Measurement Test) In Test Example 4, each test beverage was consumed by a subject, and the electroencephalogram of each subject was measured. Test Example 4 was conducted as a single-ingestion crossover comparative study with 24 males and females aged 20 to 35 years old. Written informed consent was obtained from the subjects before the test was conducted. The test method and results of Test 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) in which commercially available drinking water (the same as Comparative Example 1) contained nerol at a concentration of 10 ppm were used as test beverages. The test was conducted twice, with an interval of at least 12 hours, and participants were randomly assigned to ingest one of the test beverages each time. Ingestion of the test beverage in Example 1 corresponds to the ingestion of 2 mg of nerol.

[0065] In conducting Test Example 4, subjects were instructed to refrain from drinking alcohol, excessive exercise, dieting, and overeating from the day before the test, and to maintain the same amount and quality of sleep as usual.

[0066] Subjects were instructed to finish their meals two hours before the start of the test and to refrain from consuming anything other than water within two hours of the test. Additionally, they were instructed to avoid stimulants such as chili peppers, as well as caffeine-containing beverages such as energy drinks, coffee, black tea, and green tea. Subjects were also instructed not to use scented products such as perfume, hair styling products, hand cream, and fabric softener, and to wear similar clothing during each test.

[0067] Electroencephalograms were measured under the conditions shown in Figure 8. Subjects were fitted with an electroencephalograph (PGV Corporation, model number: HARU-2) and were asked to rest for five minutes and then complete a one-minute questionnaire. Next, subjects were asked to consume 200 mL of the test beverage over five minutes, after which they were asked to rest except for one-minute questionnaires immediately after ingestion, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes after ingestion. Electroencephalograms were measured from before ingestion of the test beverage until 45 minutes after ingestion. Similar measurements were conducted once more, with the beverages consumed randomly assigned to each subject, and each beverage consumed once.

[0068] When analyzing EEG, questionnaires and data during ingestion that affect EEG were excluded from the analysis. The EEG measured before and after ingestion during the resting waiting period was used to calculate the β / α ratio from 2 minutes of data using the Python MNE library (ver. 1.3.0). No subjects were excluded from the analysis, and all subjects were included in the analysis.

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

[0070]

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

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

[0073] Reference Example Using 10 ppm aqueous solutions of geraniol, an isomer of nerol, and α-terpineol, a degradation product of nerol, and linalool, respectively, 20 healthy Japanese men and women aged 20 to 39 were tested in the same manner as in Test Example 4. As a result, no activity-enhancing effect was observed for geraniol, α-terpineol, and linalool.

[0074] Production Example 1 According to the formulation shown in Table 5, a food and drink for improving activity was prepared.

[0075]

[0076] Production Example 2 According to the recipe shown in Table 6, a food and drink for improving activity was prepared.

[0077]

[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 was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. An activity enhancer containing nerol as its active ingredient.

2. The activity-enhancing agent according to claim 1, wherein the nerol content is 5 ppm or more and 30 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 is taken orally.

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

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

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

9. Food and beverages containing nerol to improve activity levels.

10. A method for improving the activity level of a subject, comprising administering the activity-enhancing agent described in claim 1 or 2 to the subject.

11. The method for improving activity according to claim 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 claim 10, wherein the activity-enhancing agent is administered orally.