Correlational and Intervention Effects of Egg Consumption on Macular Carotenoids, Cognition, and Achievement During Childhood

Identification of foods that promote childhood cognitive function has the potential to have a
lasting impact on children's long-term cognitive well-being. The nutrient profile in egg
yolks, particularly the xanthophyll lutein, may be uniquely suitable for supporting important
cognitive processes including attention, memory, and academic achievement. Lutein is the
predominant carotenoid in the brain, comprising up to 77% of carotenoids in the brain.
Further, lutein is among three xanthophylls that accumulate as macular pigment and protect
the eye against photooxidative damage.

Accordingly, this work aims to: 1) assess the correlational relationship between habitual egg
consumption, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), neurocognitive function and achievement
among 7-12-years-olds; and 2) conduct a 4-week egg intake randomized controlled intervention
(7 whole eggs/week vs 7 egg whites/week) to investigate the effects of regular egg
consumption on changes in MPOD and behavioral and neuroelectric measures of cognitive control
and relational memory, and academic achievement among school-aged children. Male and female
children between 7-12 years (n=240) will be recruited. All children will be allowed (i.e.,
regardless of level of MPOD) to participate to address aim 1. A subsample of participants
(n=80 [40 per group]) with lower MPOD (i.e., ≤0.40) will be invited to enroll in a 4-week egg
intake randomized controlled trial. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomly
assigned to one of two intervention groups (7 whole eggs/week vs 7 egg whites/week) for a 4-
week period.

The investigators hypothesize that greater habitual egg consumption will be positively
associated with MPOD and attention and memory and neural efficiency, and academic
achievement. Further, the investigators anticipate that consuming whole eggs - via a 4-week
intervention - will result in greater gains in behavioral and ERP cognitive measures and
academic achievement, relative to egg white consumption. Finally, it is expected that
cognitive benefits will correlate with change in MPOD, thereby establishing the importance of
whole eggs for cognitive function and academic achievement in childhood.

The successful completion of the proposed work is expected to generate new knowledge
establishing the importance of regular whole egg consumption, specifically lutein induced
changes in macular carotenoids, for improving performance in cognitive processes vital for
learning and long-term scholastic success among school-aged children.

Inclusion Criteria:

- a. Parental/guardian consent b. Between 7-12 years c. Absence of physician diagnosis
of autism spectrum disorder d. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision based on the
minimal 20/20 standard f. Intervention Only: Absence of food allergies

Exclusion Criteria:

- a. Parental/guardian non-consent b. Younger than 7 years or older than 12 years c.
Physician diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder d. Uncorrected vision f. Intervention
Only: Presence of food allergies