Asparagus supplement shows promise for memory and mood in seniors
NCT ID NCT06790849
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a daily supplement called ETAS®, made from asparagus, could improve memory, mood, and reduce inflammation in healthy adults aged 60-80 who had mild memory concerns. 45 participants took either a low or high dose of ETAS® or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers measured cognitive function, mood, and blood markers of inflammation to see if the supplement had any effect.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ETAS® (a dietary supplement derived from asparagus)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a natural supplement to help maintain brain function and reduce inflammation in older adults with mild memory complaints.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early feasibility study with only 45 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and any benefits might be small or not clinically meaningful.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
45 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2025
- Finished
-
Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
60 to 80 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aging between 60-80 years old * Having normal vision and hearing * Having a body mass index between 18.5 and 30 * Having mild to moderate subjective cognitive complaints Exclusion Criteria: * Smoking * Having food allergies or intolerances * Following restrictive and/or unbalanced diets * Changing dietary intake majorly in past month * Being diagnosed with any psychiatric or neurologic conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, dementia) including eating disorders * Being diagnosed with any cardiometabolic diseases (including type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease), or suffering from hypertension or thrombosis related disorders or suffer from thyroid disease * Being anaemic * Currently taking anticoagulants, antiplatelet medication, antidepressants, proton-pump inhibitors * Currently consuming prebiotic or probiotic supplements * Continuous antibiotic use for \> 3 days within 1 month prior to enrolment * Continuous use of weight-loss drug for \> 1 month before screening * Having inflammatory bowel disease; coeliac disease; total colectomy or bariatric surgery; irritable bowel disease; end stage renal disease; active cancer, or treatment for any cancer, in last 3 years
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Affect (mental function) are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Reading, School of Psychology and Clinical Languages
Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6ES, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a berry extract help athletes bounce back after brutal workouts?
- Can PET scans reveal hidden heart inflammation after a stroke?
- After a stroke, does the heart inflame? MRI study probes the link
- 150,000 children to be tracked from birth to old age in massive health study
- Can beef power firefighter recovery?
- Can pork protein speed recovery after firefighting?