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Effect of meal content on heart rate variability and cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress
Author(s) -
Sauder Katherine A.,
Johnston Elyse R.,
SkulasRay Ann C.,
Campbell Tavis S.,
West Sheila G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2011.01335.x
Subject(s) - heart rate , vagal tone , blood pressure , hemodynamics , mental stress , cardiology , meal , heart rate variability , crossover study , medicine , reactivity (psychology) , psychology , cold pressor test , cardiac output , alternative medicine , pathology , placebo
Little is known about transient effects of foods and nutrients on reactivity to mental stress. In a randomized crossover study of healthy adults ( n = 20), we measured heart rate variability (respiratory sinus arrhythmia), blood pressure, and other hemodynamic variables after three test meals varying in type and amount of fat. Measurements were collected at rest and during speech and cold pressor tasks. There were significant postmeal changes in resting diastolic blood pressure (−4%), cardiac output (+18%), total peripheral resistance (−17%), and interleukin‐6 (−27%). Heart rate variability and hemodynamic reactivity to stress was not affected by meal content. We recommend that future studies control for time since last meal and continue to examine effects of meal content on heart rate variability.