Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people

IntroductionAntioxidants may help alleviate cognitive impairment in older adults, which is often caused by oxidative stress. This research focuses on developing tempeh enriched with antioxidant-rich ingredients, including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and adzuki beans, to enhance its neuroprotecti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuda Turana, Yvonne Suzy Handajani, Tati Barus, Kevin Kristian, Elvina Theodoraliu, Ika Suswanti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1551211/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850032401600741376
author Yuda Turana
Yvonne Suzy Handajani
Tati Barus
Tati Barus
Kevin Kristian
Elvina Theodoraliu
Ika Suswanti
author_facet Yuda Turana
Yvonne Suzy Handajani
Tati Barus
Tati Barus
Kevin Kristian
Elvina Theodoraliu
Ika Suswanti
author_sort Yuda Turana
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAntioxidants may help alleviate cognitive impairment in older adults, which is often caused by oxidative stress. This research focuses on developing tempeh enriched with antioxidant-rich ingredients, including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and adzuki beans, to enhance its neuroprotective properties. This study is the first to investigate the effectiveness of mixed tempeh in reducing cognitive decline.MethodsThis experimental study (a non-randomized controlled trial) included 57 older participants with mild cognitive impairment who did not have diabetes. The participants were divided into two groups: one consumed mixed tempeh (comprising sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, adzuki beans, and regular soybeans), while the other group consumed soy tempeh. Both groups were instructed to consume 100 g daily over a period of 4 months and to avoid other fermented foods. Cognitive assessments were conducted before and after the intervention to evaluate the effects of tempeh consumption.ResultsThe majority of participants were female (68.4%), aged over 65 years (77.2%), and had an education level of 12 years or more (59.6%). The mixed tempeh group showed improvement in three cognitive domains (global cognitive, memory, and verbal fluency) before and after the intervention, while the soy tempeh group experienced improvements in two domains (memory and visuospatial).ConclusionThe study highlights the cognitive benefits of tempeh, particularly when mixed with other nutrient-rich ingredients. The combination of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and adzuki beans in mixed tempeh provides superior neuroprotective effects than traditional soy tempeh. This research supports the idea of promoting mixed tempeh as a healthy food alternative, especially for older adults, by offering enhanced nutritional value and cognitive health benefits.
format Article
id doaj-art-01c484d6f4d845f8bbe79ebea76b0fa3
institution DOAJ
issn 2296-861X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Nutrition
spelling doaj-art-01c484d6f4d845f8bbe79ebea76b0fa32025-08-20T02:58:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-05-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15512111551211Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older peopleYuda Turana0Yvonne Suzy Handajani1Tati Barus2Tati Barus3Kevin Kristian4Elvina Theodoraliu5Ika Suswanti6Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaCenter of Health Research, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaSchool of Bioscience, Technology, and Innovation, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaCenter for Tempeh Research and Development School of Bioscience, Technology, and Innovation, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaDepartment of Public Health and Nutrition, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaIntroductionAntioxidants may help alleviate cognitive impairment in older adults, which is often caused by oxidative stress. This research focuses on developing tempeh enriched with antioxidant-rich ingredients, including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and adzuki beans, to enhance its neuroprotective properties. This study is the first to investigate the effectiveness of mixed tempeh in reducing cognitive decline.MethodsThis experimental study (a non-randomized controlled trial) included 57 older participants with mild cognitive impairment who did not have diabetes. The participants were divided into two groups: one consumed mixed tempeh (comprising sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, adzuki beans, and regular soybeans), while the other group consumed soy tempeh. Both groups were instructed to consume 100 g daily over a period of 4 months and to avoid other fermented foods. Cognitive assessments were conducted before and after the intervention to evaluate the effects of tempeh consumption.ResultsThe majority of participants were female (68.4%), aged over 65 years (77.2%), and had an education level of 12 years or more (59.6%). The mixed tempeh group showed improvement in three cognitive domains (global cognitive, memory, and verbal fluency) before and after the intervention, while the soy tempeh group experienced improvements in two domains (memory and visuospatial).ConclusionThe study highlights the cognitive benefits of tempeh, particularly when mixed with other nutrient-rich ingredients. The combination of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and adzuki beans in mixed tempeh provides superior neuroprotective effects than traditional soy tempeh. This research supports the idea of promoting mixed tempeh as a healthy food alternative, especially for older adults, by offering enhanced nutritional value and cognitive health benefits.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1551211/fulladzuki beanscognitivepumpkin seedsolder peoplesunflower seedstempeh
spellingShingle Yuda Turana
Yvonne Suzy Handajani
Tati Barus
Tati Barus
Kevin Kristian
Elvina Theodoraliu
Ika Suswanti
Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
Frontiers in Nutrition
adzuki beans
cognitive
pumpkin seeds
older people
sunflower seeds
tempeh
title Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
title_full Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
title_fullStr Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
title_short Comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
title_sort comparison of the effects of mixed tempeh with soy tempeh on cognitive function in older people
topic adzuki beans
cognitive
pumpkin seeds
older people
sunflower seeds
tempeh
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1551211/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yudaturana comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople
AT yvonnesuzyhandajani comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople
AT tatibarus comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople
AT tatibarus comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople
AT kevinkristian comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople
AT elvinatheodoraliu comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople
AT ikasuswanti comparisonoftheeffectsofmixedtempehwithsoytempehoncognitivefunctioninolderpeople