JP6791639B2 - Method of activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using food - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using a food capable of activating the prefrontal cortex of the human brain, particularly the brain of a child, and more specifically, in the process of preparing the food, the prefrontal cortex of the brain is used. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using a food that can activate the left prefrontal cortex.

In recent years, with the development of visualization technology of the state of the brain by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement method, etc., we have been engaged in brain science in various fields. Efforts are being made to utilize it. In the food field as well, we propose foods with improved brain function that have been found to improve brain function by using the above method by containing specific food ingredients, and experiments to measure the brain activity of children in parent-child cooking evaluated by the above method. There are reports of.

As a food for improving brain function, a food or drink for improving brain function containing a peptide derived from milk casein is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By ingesting the food and drink for improving brain function, the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the left and right prefrontal cortex is increased, the activity level of the prefrontal cortex is improved, and the work efficiency is further improved, so that the brain function is improved. It is a thing.

In addition, a brain function improving agent containing krill oil as an active ingredient and foods and drinks containing the brain function improving agent are known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). By ingesting the brain function improving agent and the food and drink, oxygenated hemoglobin in the left and right frontal region and anterior temporal region during tasks such as memory task and calculation task is increased, and the metabolism of the brain is promoted. , Prevents improvement, recovery, maintenance, and decline of brain function.

In addition, a measurement experiment of children's brain activity in parent-child cooking suggests that cooking performed by parents and children may develop various brain functions of children (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). In this measurement experiment, parent-child cooking was carried out by baking and serving pancakes using a gas stove, and as a result of measuring the brain activity of the child during the cooking, activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal area of the left and right cerebral hemispheres was performed. From the confirmation, it is reported that the cooking habits performed by parents and children have a positive effect on the cognitive function of children.

The human brain controls specific biological functions by specific parts. Among them, the prefrontal cortex is a higher human function such as thinking and creativity, specifically, cognitive / executive functions such as working memory, reaction suppression, behavior switching, planning, and reasoning, and higher emotional / motivational functions. It is known to be involved in the decision-making process based on this. In addition, as described above, in the food field, foods and drinks useful for improving the brain function of the left and right prefrontal cortex, the left and right frontal and frontal temporal regions, and the dorsolateral prefrontal of the left and right cerebral hemispheres of children in parent-child cooking. It is known about the usefulness of brain function development in the prefrontal cortex. However, no method has been proposed for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, with a particular focus on the food preparation process performed by children alone.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-12358 International Publication No. 2012/1655586

"Journal of the Japanese Society of Food Life", 2011, Vol. 22, No. 2, p. 88-97

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is the prefrontal cortex of a human brain using a food capable of activating the prefrontal cortex of a human brain, particularly a child's brain. A method for activating the prefrontal cortex, more specifically, to provide a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using a food that can activate the prefrontal cortex of the brain, particularly mainly in the left prefrontal cortex, in the process of preparing food.

The present invention is described above by a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which comprises preparing a food product through a step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones and preparing an edible paint having an arbitrary new color tone. Achieve the purpose.

The present invention also achieves the above object by a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which comprises preparing a food product through a step of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using a plurality of edible paints having different color tones. To do.

Furthermore, the above purpose is achieved by a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is characterized in that food is prepared through a process of creating an arbitrary pattern using a plurality of edible paints having different color tones and a form for pattern contour. Achieve.

The present invention achieves the above object by a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which comprises preparing a food product through the following steps (1) (2) or (1) (3).
(1) A step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare a paint after edible blending of an arbitrary new color tone (2) A paint before edible blending having a plurality of different colors and / or an edible blending Step of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using post-paint (3) Arbitrary pattern using multiple pre-mixed edible paints and / or post-prepared edible paints with different color tones and a pattern contour mold The process of creating a pattern

Next, the present invention achieves the above object by a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which comprises preparing a food using a brain-activating food kit comprising the following (A) and (B).
(A) A plurality of edible pre-mixed paints having different color tones (B) A plurality of edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portions for separately accommodating the above (A) and two or more kinds of the edible pre-mixed paints are mixed. Food preparation container with edible post-preparation paint container for formulating any new color post-preparation paint

It is preferable to further include the following (C), and more preferably to further include the following (D).
(C) A pattern contour mold for applying a color scheme to a pattern and / or creating a pattern using edible pre-mixed paint and / or edible post-mixed paint having different color tones (D) The above edible paint A dropper for handling, blending, coloring a pattern, creating a pattern, at least one of them.

The applicant is developing handmade food kits such as combination confectionery on the market that children can easily handcraft (prepare) by themselves. From questionnaire surveys, group interview surveys, monitor surveys, etc., we can grasp the subjective evaluation of children for the finished products made from each handmade food kit. However, it is not possible to objectively grasp how the child feels in the work process, which preparation process is more enjoyable or more difficult in the work process in which the child actually prepares the handmade food kit. It was.

Therefore, the viewpoint of product development was changed from the evaluation of the finished food obtained from the conventional food kit to the evaluation of each preparation process from the food kit to the completion of the finished food. In other words, if we can evaluate and understand the preparation process that makes us want to try again and again by feeling more enjoyable or more difficult, we thought that we could apply it to foods for children with a high repeater rate.

In addition, it is generally known that thinking in childhood 3 to 12 years old develops in stages (Seiji Nagae, "Psychology of the Brain and Development", First Edition, Brain Publishing Co., Ltd., April 2004, p.139-146). Therefore, identifying a food preparation process that is effective in activating the brain of humans, especially children, applying the process to handmade food kits, and having them experience the process frequently is the brain of children in early childhood. I thought it was meaningful for the growth of.

Based on the above, as a result of diligent studies focusing on the process by which children prepare food, changes in the brain activity of children during food preparation, specifically, blood using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). When we measured changes in the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood, we found that, surprisingly, rather than repeating a simple preparation process, a preparation process with some complexity was more effective in activating the prefrontal area of the brain. ..

Specifically, rather than the process of simply handling a single-color edible paint (meaning the work of transferring or preparing (dissolving, mixing, etc.) using a dropper, etc.), along with the handling of a single-color edible paint. The process of mixing multiple edible paints to formulate an edible paint of any new color stimulates the prefrontal cortex, increasing cerebral blood flow and increasing the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood, resulting in humans. We have found that it is effective in activating the prefrontal cortex (particularly the left prefrontal cortex) of (particularly children), and arrived at the present invention.

In addition, in the preparation process of applying color, the process of arbitrarily applying one or more color schemes rather than specifying the color scheme of edible paint stimulates the prefrontal cortex, increases cerebral blood flow, and concentrates oxyhemoglobin in blood. We have found that it is effective in activating the prefrontal cortex (particularly the left prefrontal cortex) of humans (particularly children), and arrived at the present invention.

Further, in the preparation process of drawing a pattern using the pattern contour mold, the inside of the frame is arbitrarily arranged in the pattern contour frame which is not subdivided, rather than the color is arranged in the subdivided pattern contour frame. It is more effective to activate the prefrontal cortex (especially the left prefrontal cortex) of humans (especially children) because it stimulates the prefrontal cortex and increases the cerebral blood flow and the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood. The present invention has been reached.

The method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using the food of the present invention is a step of mixing a plurality of edible paints to prepare an arbitrary new edible paint, and using a plurality of edible paints in a pattern contour frame. The food is prepared because it has a slightly complicated preparation process, especially for children, such as the process of applying color to the pattern and the process of creating an arbitrary pattern within the pattern contour formwork using multiple edible paints. Can activate the prefrontal cortex of the brain when doing so.

Further, in the brain-activating food kit according to the present invention, the prefrontal cortex of the brain, particularly the left prefrontal cortex, is activated through the enjoyment and difficulty felt at the time of preparation, and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction can be felt. In the first place, because it is the work of preparing food, it is possible to happily train the prefrontal cortex, especially the left prefrontal cortex, without giving stress.

By repeatedly preparing foods using the brain-activating food kit according to the present invention, the brains of young children can be frequently activated, and future thinking ability and planning can be improved (Brodmann's). For logical thinking and creative thinking, such as improving learning efficiency by strengthening working memory (Brodmann area 46), improving self-restraint, and improving executive ability (Brodmann area 10). Can be expected to help the development of the brain (Seiji Nagae, "Psychology of the Brain and Development", First Edition, Brodmann Publishing Co., Ltd., April 2004, p.120-122, p.174-177). ..

The figure which shows an example of the measurement point (channel) when the headset of the device for measuring the oxyhemoglobin concentration of the prefrontal cortex region is attached to the head. A simulated view in which the positions of the channels from the crown side to the forehead side in FIG. 1 are replaced with cross-sectional views. Brain activity map showing oxyhemoglobin concentration distribution in the prefrontal cortex measured in the process of blending colors (Test Example 1) Explanatory drawing showing an example of the preparation method of the brain activation food kit used when measuring the brain activation state. Graph of oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex during the process of blending colors (Test Example 1) Graph of oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex during the color scheme (Test Example 2) Oxyhemoglobin concentration measurement graph in the prefrontal cortex during the process of creating a pattern (Test Example 3)

The present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following preferred embodiments, and can be freely modified within the scope of the present invention.

The method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using the food of the present invention is a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the cerebral cortex, particularly the left prefrontal cortex. In general, a specific biological function is associated with a specific part of the brain, and when the activation of the brain occurs in association with the biological function, cerebral blood flow at a specific part of the related brain increases, and as a result, in the blood. It is known that the oxyhemoglobin concentration increases. That is, in the present invention, activating the prefrontal cortex means that the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood of the prefrontal cortex of the brain increases. Specifically, the prefrontal cortex region of the scalp is irradiated with near infrared rays and near. When measuring changes in the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex using infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex is 1.1 times or more, preferably 1.2 times or more, as compared with the "control" described later. Refers to the elevated state. Further, more preferably, it refers to a state in which a significant difference p <0.05.

Furthermore, the target age of humans who activate the brain by the method of activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention is not particularly limited, but children aged 3 to 12 years who are particularly interested in simple movements such as drawing. Is preferable. It is also effective for seniors and above to prevent dementia.

To measure the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, a device capable of measuring the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood in the prefrontal cortex region of the cerebral cortex by irradiating near-infrared light from above the subject's scalp is used. .. For example, wearable optical topography WOT-220 (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, 22 channels), FOIR-300 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation), and the like can be mentioned.

Next, the prefrontal cortex region of the brain measured by the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 1 shows
As a headset of a device for measuring the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the frontal prefield region, a headset of a wearable optical topography WOT-220 device manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (with a built-in near-infrared light source and detector) was used as a subject. It is a figure which shows the measurement point (channel) when it is attached to the head of a child (10 years old). As shown in FIG. 1, the upper part shows the crown side of the face, and the lower part shows the forehead side of the face. The "right" display indicates the right side of the face and the "left" display indicates the left side of the face. The numbers 1 to 22 surrounded by a square indicate measurement points (channels), channels 1 to 10 are the right prefrontal cortex region, channels 11 and 12 are the prefrontal cortex central region, and channels 13 to 22 are the left prefrontal cortex region. ..

In the present invention, the measurement target portion of the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex is the prefrontal cortex region, that is, the region including the 10-44 and 46 regions in Brodmann's brain map as the prefrontal cortex region of the brain. In the case of the above device, a maximum of 22 measurement points can be set, but in actual measurement, the measurement points may be appropriately selected according to the size of the head. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the measurement points corresponding to the prefrontal cortex region of the head of a 10-year-old child correspond to channels 7 to 16, and the left frontal cortex region corresponds to channels 13 to 16. In this way, the channel selection may be set according to the size of the head to be measured, but when measuring multiple children, it is better to match the size of the head to be measured so that the channels are the same. Good.

FIG. 2 is a simulated view in which the position of the channel when the head of a 10-year-old child is measured from the crown side to the forehead side of the face of FIG. 1 is replaced with a cross-sectional view. Similar to FIG. 1, the “right” display indicates the right side of the face, the “left” display indicates the left side of the face, and channels 13 to 16 are the left prefrontal cortex region.

FIG. 3 is a brain activity map showing the oxyhemoglobin concentration distribution in the prefrontal cortex measured in the process of blending the colors of Test Example 1 described later, and the measured oxyhemoglobin concentration is shaded so that the measured oxyhemoglobin concentration can be visually recognized. It is a mapping. The higher the activated state of the brain, the darker the color, and the lower the activated state, the lighter the color.

Comparing << Test Example 1 >> and << Control >> in FIG. 3, the prefrontal cortex of << Test Example 1 >> is shown to be darker overall, and channels 12, 13 and 15 are particularly darkest. ing. Further, in the range corresponding to the left prefrontal cortex (channels 13, 15, 16), the difference in shade between << Test Example 1 >> and << Control >> is remarkable. That is, in << Test Example 1 >>, the prefrontal cortex of the brain, particularly the left prefrontal cortex, is more activated than in the << control >>.

The method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention is a step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare an edible paint having an arbitrary new color tone, and using the edible paint to form an arbitrary pattern. It is effective to prepare food through one or more steps of applying a color scheme or creating an arbitrary pattern using the edible paint and a pattern contour mold, which is effective for the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It is important in that it activates.

The above-mentioned edible paint refers to a paint-like coloring material that can be eaten by humans, and is a concept including both pre-prepared edible paint and post-prepared edible paint, which will be described later. The edible paint may be in a solid state (powder, granule, etc.), liquid, or fluid (sol, cream, etc.), and may be added and prepared by the preparer before preparation. Good. Examples of the components include sugars, starches, dextrins, thickeners, powdered fats and oils, colorants, flavors and the like, and one or more of these may be used alone or in combination as appropriate. Further, when the edible paint is used in a temperature range from refrigeration at 5 to 30 ° C. to room temperature, that is, non-heating (5 to 30 ° C.) that does not require heating, it is safe and easy for the preparer to handle. It is suitable in that respect.

In addition, edible pre-mixing paint refers to edible paint (prepared in advance) used to mix new colors, and the color tone is red, blue, yellow, white, black, which correspond to the primary colors. And so on. On the other hand, the edible post-mixing paint refers to a new color edible paint obtained by mixing a plurality of edible pre-blending paints. For example, green mixed with blue and yellow, purple mixed with red and blue, pink mixed with red and white, orange mixed with red and yellow, red and yellow and black, or brown mixed with red and yellow and blue. Etc. are applicable.

Next, mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare an edible paint having an arbitrary new color tone means that one or more of the pre-edible and post-edible paints is used. Means to formulate a paint after edible blending of any new shade. Further, applying an arbitrary color scheme to the pattern using the edible paint means that the pattern is arbitrarily colored with the edible paint. Furthermore, creating an arbitrary pattern using edible paint and a pattern contour formwork means creating a pattern by freely drawing a pattern in the pattern contour formwork using edible paint. To do.

The pattern outline formwork forms the outline shape of the pattern pattern, and by arbitrarily putting edible paint in the outline formwork, the pattern pattern is colored and colored freely. It is a formwork for drawing a pattern on the surface to create a pattern. As the pattern contour form, a form in which a contour wall is formed along the contour of the pattern may be used. In addition, the material of the formwork for the pattern contour is polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, silicon resin, metal, etc., as well as plastic foods such as clay-like candy and powdered foods, with a pattern-shaped stamp stamped to make the formwork-shaped recesses. Examples thereof include those formed, which may be appropriately selected. In addition, as the mold having the contour wall formed, a commercially available cookie mold, a mold formed in a concave shape on the surface of a solid confectionery such as candy, or the like may be used. Further, as the shape of the mold, either a bottomless tubular shape or a bottomed concave shape may be used.

The outline shape of the above pattern includes animals (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, etc.), vehicles (airplanes, trains, automobiles, etc.), plants, sweets, food and drink, robots, characters, buildings, national flags, the sun, the moon, and stars. , Planets, geometric patterns, and other patterns may be set as appropriate.

Further, in the method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention, preparing food through the following steps (1) (2) or (1) (3) effectively activates the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It is important in that respect.
(1) A step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare a paint after edible blending of an arbitrary new color tone (2) A paint before edible blending having a plurality of different colors and / or an edible blending A step of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using a post-paint (3) A step of creating an arbitrary pattern using a plurality of edible pre-mixed paints and / or edible post-mixed paints having different color tones.

Further, in addition to the steps (1) to (3) above, "preparing the pre-preparable edible paint" and "the food preparer visually changes the color when the pre-prepared edible paint is prepared". A process such as "recognize" may be provided.

Next, in the method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention, preparing a food using a brain-activating food kit comprising the following (A) and (B) effectively activates the prefrontal cortex of the brain. It is important in that it does.
(A) A plurality of edible pre-mixed paints having different color tones (B) A plurality of edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portions for separately accommodating the above (A) and two or more kinds of the edible pre-mixed paints are mixed. Food preparation container with edible post-preparation paint container for formulating any new color post-preparation paint

The food preparation container (B) is a plurality of edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portions for accommodating edible pre-prepared paint, and a plurality of edible post-prepared paint for blending edible pre-prepared paint. It is a container provided with a storage portion and capable of separately storing edible paint. It is preferable that the edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portion and the edible post-blended paint accommodating portion have a concave shape in terms of ease of handling.

In addition to the above (A) and (B), the method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention preferably further comprises the following (C), and more preferably further comprises the following (D). However, it is preferable in that it facilitates the preparation of an edible paint that effectively activates the prefrontal cortex of the brain. (C) A pattern contour mold for coloring a pattern and / or creating a pattern using a pre-mixed paint having a different color tone and / or a new post-mixed edible paint having a mixed color tone. (D) A dropper for handling, blending, coloring the pattern, and creating the pattern, at least one of the above edible paints.

In addition, the dropper of (D) above refers to handling (transferring, preparing (dissolving, mixing, etc.)) edible paint, blending paint after edible blending, coloring the pattern, and patterning. It is a dropper for creating at least one of the patterns, especially because it is easy for children to handle, the amount of water added to the edible paint powder is easy to understand, and it can be weighed and transferred without spilling. Suitable.

As described above, the brain-activating food kit according to the present invention is a step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare an edible paint having an arbitrary new color tone, and a pattern pattern using the edible paint. In order to design one or more food preparation steps of any one or more of the steps of applying an arbitrary color scheme, it is necessary to provide the above-mentioned (A) pre-preparation paint and the above-mentioned (B) food preparation container. It is important in effectively activating the prefrontal area. Moreover, it is preferable to provide the dropper of the above (D). In addition to (A), (B), and (D) above, or instead of (D), a jig for handling edible paint such as a spoon, spatula, and brush may be added.
Further, in the brain-activating food kit according to the present invention, in order to design a food preparation process for creating an arbitrary pattern using the edible paint and the pattern contour mold, the edible preparation according to the above (A) It is important to provide the prepaint and the food preparation container of (B) above in order to effectively activate the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Further, it is preferable to include the contour form of the above (C), and more preferably the dropper of the above (D). In addition to (A) to (D) above, or instead of (D), a jig for handling edible paint such as a spoon, spatula, and brush may be added.

Further, the food prepared by using the brain-activating food kit according to the present invention may be eaten as it is as syrup, chocolate sauce, fruit sauce, jam, cream, etc., cooled in a refrigerator to make jelly, or frozen. You can chill it with a syrup. Alternatively, when the prepared food is an edible paint, the edible paint may be instantly solidified at room temperature by sprinkling a solidifying powder to prepare a gummy-like, jelly-like, or ramune-like food. Alternatively, you may play with the solid food by coloring it or drawing a pattern. Examples of the solid food include candy, bakery food (bread, baked confectionery, etc.), chewing gum, gummies, chocolate, jelly, ramune, and other tableted confectionery.

Next, an example of a method for preparing a brain-activating food kit (hereinafter referred to as a food kit) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, FIG. 4A shows an example of a set of food kits, 11 is a food preparation container, 12 is a dropper, and 13 is a tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork. In addition to this, although not shown, the ingredients of the edible pre-prepared paint (three types of powdered edible pre-prepared paint, such as red, blue, and yellow) and the edible paint for solidifying. It may be a food kit including a solidifying powder.

The food preparation container 11 is provided with three edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portions 21 for accommodating the edible paint. The number of the edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portions 21 may be provided according to the number of edible pre-mixed paints to be used. Further, the food preparation container 11 is provided with eight edible post-mixing paint accommodating portions 22 for mixing two or more kinds of edible pre-blending paints to prepare an edible post-blending paint having an arbitrary new color tone. Has been done. The number of the edible post-mixed paint accommodating portions 22 may be arbitrarily provided, but from the viewpoint of drawing out the imagination of the child, there is a possibility that the blending fails or the edible post-blended paints are further mixed. It is preferable to provide a large amount in consideration of the above. In addition, the food preparation container 11 contains, for example, an edible pre-mixing paint element (powder) and a solidifying powder, and the powders are housed therein, and a pattern contour mold described later is placed on the powder. A mold mounting recess 23 for mounting the frame 13 is provided. The mold mounting recess 23 is not necessarily limited to accommodating the solidifying powder. For example, a clay-like candy is put in and the pattern contour mold 13 is pressed onto the clay-like candy to color the pattern. It may be used for giving or creating a pattern.

The dropper 12 is used for handling (preparing edible pre-blended paint, transferring edible pre-blended paint to the edible pre-blended paint accommodating portion 22, blending edible pre-blended paint, etc.). .. Specifically, for example, it can be used as a mixing means for dissolving a base (powder) of an edible pre-prepared paint in water to make a liquid edible pre-mixed paint, or a liquid edible paint can be transferred. Used to mix paints together.

The pattern contour formwork 13 can be freely patterned by arbitrarily adding edible paint (paint before edible blending and / or paint after edible blending) to paint and color the pattern. It is a formwork for drawing and creating a pattern. In FIG. 4A, the shape of the mold is formed in a hollow cylinder shape so that it can be placed on the solidifying powder for use. Further, the contour shape is not limited to the tulip shape as shown in FIG. 4A, and may be arbitrarily set such as the shape of the paragraph [0041] described above and the shape of the tropical fish shape of FIG. 4D. Further, the number of pattern contour formwork 13 to be prepared may be arbitrarily set. In FIG. 4, three identical tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork 13 are used as described later, but a plurality of different formwork may be combined.

In the method for preparing a food kit according to the present invention, first, edible preparations (not shown. Three types of powdered edible pre-preparation paints, red, blue, and yellow) are separately prepared. It is housed in the pre-paint accommodating portion 21, water is added from above with a dropper 12 and mixed as it is, and as shown in FIG. 4 (a), three colors of liquefied edible pre-prepared paint (red, blue, yellow). To get. Further, the solidifying powder 30 for solidifying the edible paint is sprinkled into the mold mounting recess 23 and leveled flat.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), two or more kinds of edible pre-blended paint 40 are arbitrarily selected, transferred to the edible pre-blended paint accommodating portion 22 using a dropper 12 and mixed as they are, and edible. After blending, the paint 41 is blended.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, three tulip-shaped pattern contour molds 13 are placed side by side in the mold mounting recess 23 containing the solidifying powder 30. Then, the edible pre-blended paint 41 blended in the edible pre-blended paint accommodating portion 22 and the edible pre-blended paint 40 accommodated in the edible pre-blended paint accommodating portion 21 are arbitrarily used to form the pattern contour mold 13. Color the inside and apply the color scheme. Since the above preparation process includes a process of blending colors and a process of applying a color scheme (separate painting), the prefrontal cortex of the brain is activated.

As an example of using another pattern contour formwork instead of the tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork 13 of FIG. 4C, as shown in FIG. 4D, a tropical fish-shaped pattern contour formwork 14 Can be mentioned. In the pattern contour mold 14, a pattern is freely drawn by arbitrarily using the edible paint (40 and / or 41) obtained by performing the same procedure as in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) described above. The prefrontal cortex of the brain is activated because it has a process to create an arbitrary pattern. Note that FIG. 4E shows a tropical fish-shaped pattern contour formwork 15 in which the inside of the formwork is subdivided, as will be described later.

As described above, although the food preparation container was prepared in FIG. 4, as the food kit according to the present invention, the edible paint may be prepared and prepared using a container such as tableware at home.

Next, examples of the food kit according to the present invention include powders for molded confectionery described in JP-A-9-47221. In the food kit, the molding mold described in [0014] is used, and as described in [0016] and [0019], a solution in which a dye or the like is dissolved or dispersed is applied to a molding recess of the molding mold. Since the powder for molded confectionery is added after being put in the mold, the above-mentioned "step of coloring the color" is provided in which the edible paint is added on the powder in the mold for the specific pattern contour.

Other examples include a combination confectionery containing a mixed powder of sugar, pregelatinized starch, thickening polysaccharide, etc., which gives a gummy-like texture, and a solution in which a pigment or the like is dissolved or dispersed. When the dye solutions of different colors in the combination confectionery are mixed to prepare another color, the above-mentioned "step of mixing colors" is provided, and a cookie mold or the like is removed on the mixed powder. When a plurality of molds are placed and a plurality of the dye solutions are added into the molds, the above-mentioned "step of color arrangement" is provided.

The effect of the "color mixing step" on the prefrontal cortex of the subject's brain was evaluated using the food kit preparation method as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

<Test Example 1>
≪Preparation of paint before edible preparation≫
Each raw material was powder-mixed with the composition shown in Table 1 to prepare powders 1 to 3 as a base for edible pre-mixing paint. After that, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), each of the above powders 1 to 3 is separately stored in the three edible pre-mixing paint storage portions 21 in the food preparation container 11, and each of the powders and the water supply Water (25 ° C.) was mixed at a weight ratio of 1: 3, and three colors of blue, red, and yellow pre-prepared paints were prepared.

≪Measurement of oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain≫
As shown in FIG. 4A, two or more of the three colors of pre-prepared edible paint contained in the three pre-mixed edible paint accommodating portions 21 are optionally accommodated in one post-prepared edible paint. The oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain was measured during the process of mixing after transferring to part 22 and blending a color different from the color of the original premixed edible paint.
The subjects were 18 healthy right-handed children, men and women, who were 10 years old.
(1) As shown in FIG. 1, a headset (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) of a wearable optical topography WOT-220 device was attached to the head of the subject.
(2) As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the edible pre-mixed paint 40 in the three-color edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portion 21 of blue, red, and yellow can be freely selected and can be used with the dropper 12. When transferred to the paint accommodating portion 22 after the edible preparation, the paint was mixed by dropping to prepare the edible after-mixing paint 41 having a color tone different from that of the edible pre-mixing paint.
(3) The oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain during the above step (2) was measured. The heads of all the subjects were of the same size, and channels 7 to 16 were used as measurement points in the prefrontal cortex region as shown in FIG.

As a control, the frontal cortex of the brain during the process of replacing the operation of the above (2) with the step of the following (2') and transferring the one-color edible pre-mixed paint to the vacant edible post-mixed paint accommodating portion 22. The oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex was measured.
(2') As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the blue edible pre-mixed paint 40 in the edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portion 21 was transferred to the edible pre-mixed paint accommodating portion 22 using a dropper 12. .. The measurement was performed once in each of Test Example 1 and the control in 20 seconds, and the process was performed four times each to perform addition averaging.

The results of Test Example 1 and the control are shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph of the average value of hemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex, FIG. 5 (a) is the result of channels 7 to 16, and FIG. 5 (b) is the result of channels 13, 15 and 16. In both FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), Test Example 1 showed higher values than the control (FIG. 5 (a) was 1.13 times the control, and FIG. 5 (b) was 1.26 times the control). .. Further, the difference between Test Example 1 and the control is more remarkable in FIG. 5 (b) than in FIG. 5 (a). Therefore, the process of handling a single color edible paint and mixing multiple edible paints to prepare an edible paint of any new color is more prefrontal than the process of simply handling a single color edible paint. It was shown to be effective in activating the prefrontal cortex, especially the left prefrontal cortex, because it stimulates the prefrontal cortex to increase cerebral blood flow and increase the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood.

In the next test, using the food kit as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) and using the preparation method of FIG. 4 (c), a "coloring step" was applied to the prefrontal cortex of the subject's brain. The effect was evaluated.

First, a pre-preparable edible paint 40, a post-edible preparation paint 41, and a solidifying powder 30 were prepared.
≪Preparation of paint before edible preparation≫
In the same manner as in Test Example 1, three colors of blue, red, and yellow edible pre-prepared paint 40 were prepared.
≪Preparation of paint after edible formulation≫
The blue, red, and yellow edible pre-mixed paints 40 were appropriately selected and mixed, and the orange, green, purple, and brown edible pre-mixed paints 41 were blended.

≪Preparation of solidifying powder≫
Each raw material was powder-mixed with the composition shown in Table 2, and an edible paint was added to prepare a solidifying powder 30 which became a solid substance having a gummy-like texture.

≪Measurement of oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain≫
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the solidifying powder 30 was spread evenly in advance in the mold setting recess 23 of the food preparation container 11. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, a tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork 13 was placed on the solidifying powder 30. Next, as described above, a blue, red, and yellow pre-prepared edible paint 40 and an orange, green, purple, and brown edible post-mixed paint 41 were prepared.
<Test Example 2>
Using the pre-prepared edible paint 40 and the post-prepared edible paint 41 prepared in advance, the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain during the process of coloring in the pattern contour mold 13 was measured.
The subjects were 18 healthy right-handed children, men and women, who were 10 years old. In addition, the above-mentioned step in which the measurement was performed in 20 seconds for both Test Example 2 and the control was performed once, and the step was performed four times each to perform addition averaging.
(1) As shown in FIG. 1, a headset (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) of a wearable optical topography WOT-220 device was attached to the head of the subject.
(2) to the next, freely choose the color, tulip-shaped pattern out of the FIGS. 4 (a) (b), the following Preparations were edible preformulation paints 40 and edible in formulating paint 41 The flower part of the contour form 13 is colored by using a dropper 12, and the solidifying powder 30 is prepared as a tulip-shaped gummy-like solid by the water content in the edible paint. I let you. In addition, it was instructed in advance to color the leaves in green.
(3) The oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain during the above step (2) was measured. The heads of all the subjects were of the same size, and channels 7 to 16 were used as measurement points in the prefrontal cortex region as shown in FIG.

As a control, the step (2) above was replaced with the step (2') below, and the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain during the operation (2') below was measured.
(2 ') as shown in FIG. 4 (c), yellow flower parts edible paint, green instructed to color in the leaves, in the pattern contour mold frame 13 Ji Yurippu type Add the solidifying powder 30 to the edible powder 30 with a tulip-shaped gummy-like texture with yellow flowers and green leaves due to the moisture in the pre-formwork paint. It was prepared.

The results of Test Example 2 and the control are shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph of the average value of hemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex, FIG. 6 (a) is the result of channels 7 to 16, and FIG. 6 (b) is the result of channels 13, 15 and 16. In both FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), Test Example 2 showed higher values than the control (FIG. 6 (a) was 1.22 times the control, and FIG. 6 (b) was 1.7 times the control). .. In addition, the difference between Test Example 2 and the control was more remarkable in FIG. 6 (b) than in FIG. 6 (a), and a significant difference was observed in FIG. 6 (b) (p <0.05). .. Therefore, the process of applying an arbitrary color scheme to one or more places using edible paints of multiple color tones is better than the color scheme of the pattern contour frame using a predetermined color scheme (yellow and green only). It was shown that it is effective in activating the prefrontal cortex, especially the left prefrontal cortex, because it stimulates cerebral blood flow and increases the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood.

In the next test, the "step of creating a pattern" exerts on the prefrontal cortex of the subject's brain using the food kit preparation method as shown in FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (d), and (e). The impact was evaluated.

<Test Example 3>
In the same manner as in Test Example 2, a pre-prepared edible paint 40 and a solidifying powder 30 were prepared, and a pre-prepared edible pre-mixed paint 41 was prepared, and a tropical fish shape as shown in FIG. 4 (d) was prepared. Using the pattern contour formwork 14, the inside of the formwork was freely drawn with edible paint (40, 41) to create a pattern, and the oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal area of the brain was measured. As a control, the color was arranged using the pattern contour formwork 15 in which the inside of the tropical fish-shaped formwork as shown in FIG. 4E was subdivided.
The subjects were 18 healthy right-handed children, men and women, who were 10 years old. In addition, the measurement was performed once in each of Test Example 3 and the control in 40 seconds, and the process was performed four times each to perform addition averaging.

The results of Test Example 3 and the control are shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a graph of the average value of hemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex, FIG. 7 (a) is the result of channels 7 to 16, and FIG. 7 (b) is the result of channels 13, 15 and 16. In both FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), Test Example 3 showed higher values than the control (FIG. 7 (a) was 1.13 times the control, and FIG. 7 (b) was 1.29 times the control). .. In addition, the difference between Test Example 3 and the control was more remarkable in FIG. 7 (b) than in FIG. 7 (a), and a significant difference was observed in FIG. 7 (b) (p <0.05). .. Therefore, the process of creating a pattern in the pattern contour formwork stimulates the prefrontal cortex and increases cerebral blood flow, rather than arranging colors in the pattern contour formwork in which the inside of the formwork is subdivided. Since the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood increases, it has been shown to be effective in activating the prefrontal cortex, especially the left prefrontal cortex.

It should be noted that the reason why the difference between Test Example 3 and the control is smaller than that of Test Example 2 is that the control of Test Example 3 requires color selection, and the work time per operation is long and the child ends in the middle. It is presumed that it was also there.

After the above test, a questionnaire survey was conducted on all the subjects regarding the difficulty and enjoyment of each process, and a weak positive correlation (R ² = 0.0832) was found between the difficulty and the brain activity.

11 Food preparation container 12 Dropet 13 Tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork 14 Tropical fish-shaped pattern contour formwork 15 Tropical fish-shaped pattern contoured formwork 21 Pre-mixing paint container 22 Post-mixing paint housing 23 Formwork recess 30 Solidifying powder 40 Pre-preparing edible paint 41 Post-preparing edible paint

Claims (6)

A method of activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain (excluding a method of treating humans), which comprises preparing food through a process of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using a plurality of edible paints having different tones. ). A method for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is characterized in that food is prepared through a process of creating an arbitrary pattern using multiple edible paints having different colors and a form for pattern contour (however, human beings). Except for the method of treatment). A method for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain, which comprises preparing food through the following steps (1) and (2) (excluding a method for treating humans).
(1) A step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare a paint after edible blending of an arbitrary new color tone (2) A paint before edible blending of a plurality of different tones and / or an edible blending The process of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using post-paint A method for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain (excluding a method for treating humans), which comprises preparing food through the following steps (1) and (3).
(1) A step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare a paint after edible blending of an arbitrary new color tone (3) A paint before edible blending of a plurality of different tones and / or an edible blending The process of creating an arbitrary pattern using post-paint and a pattern contour formwork A method of activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain (excluding methods of treating humans), which comprises preparing a food using a brain-activating food kit comprising the following (A), (B), and (C).
(A) Multiple pre-mixed paints with different color tones (B) Two or more pre-mixed edible paints and two or more pre-mixed edible paints for storing each of the above (A) separately. Food preparation container with post-preparation paint container for blending any new color post-preparation paint (C) Pre-preparation paint and / or post-edible blending with different color tones Use paint to color the pattern and / or create a pattern contour template Furthermore, the method for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain according to claim 5, which comprises the following (D) (excluding the method for treating humans).
(D) A dropper for handling, blending, coloring the pattern, and creating the pattern, at least one of the above edible paints.