JP6976611B2 - How to activate 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 that can activate the prefrontal cortex of the human brain, particularly the brain of a child, and more specifically, the prefrontal cortex of the brain in the process of preparing the food. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain using a food that can be activated mainly in the left prefrontal cortex.

In recent years, with the development of technology for visualizing the state of the brain by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement, 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 etc.

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 concentration of oxyhemoglobin 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 the front temporal region during the performance of tasks such as memory task and calculation task is increased, and the metabolism of the brain is promoted. , Prevents improvement, recovery, maintenance, and deterioration of brain function.

In addition, from the measurement experiment of the brain activity of the child in the parent-child cooking, it is suggested that the cooking performed by the parent and child may develop various brain functions of the child (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 has higher human functions 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 proposal has been made for a method of 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. 2012/165586

"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 thereof is the prefrontal cortex of a human brain, particularly a prefrontal cortex of a brain using a food capable of activating the prefrontal cortex of a child's brain. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for activating the prefrontal cortex, more specifically, 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.

Further, 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 a step of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using a plurality of edible paints having different color tones. do.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned 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 any new color tone (2) A paint before edible blending having a plurality of different tones 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 with different tones and / or post-painted edible paints and pattern contour molds 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-prepared paints having different color tones (B) A plurality of edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portions for separately accommodating the above (A) and two or more kinds of the edible pre-prepared paints are mixed. Food preparation container with edible post-preparation paint container for formulating any new color edible post-preparation paint

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

The applicant has developed a handmade food kit such as a combination confectionery on the market so that the child can easily handcraft (prepare) it by himself / herself. 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 has not been 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. rice field.

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 Brain and Development", First Edition, Brain Publishing Co., Ltd., April 2004, p.139-146). Therefore, it is important to identify a food preparation process that is effective for activating the brain of humans, especially children, apply the process to handmade food kits, and have children experience the process frequently. 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 brain, we found that, surprisingly, rather than repeating a simple preparation process, a preparation process with some complexity was more effective in activating the prefrontal cortex 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, increases cerebral blood flow, and increases the concentration of oxyhemoglobin in the blood. 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 in which the inside of the frame is not subdivided, rather than the color is arranged in the pattern contour frame in which the inside of the frame is subdivided. 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. We have arrived at the present invention.

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 frame for pattern contour. The food is prepared because it has a slightly complicated preparation process, especially for children, such as the process of coloring the pattern and the process of creating an arbitrary pattern within the pattern contour mold using multiple edible paints. When it does, it can activate the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

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 fun 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's 46th field), improving self-restraint, and improving executive ability (Brodmann's 10th field). It can be expected to help the development of the brain (Seiji Nagae, "Psychology of 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 in 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 measurement of oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex during the process of blending colors (Test Example 1) Oxyhemoglobin concentration measurement graph 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 changed 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 of the brain, particularly the left prefrontal cortex. In general, specific biological functions are associated with specific parts of the brain, and when brain activation occurs with biological functions, cerebral blood flow at specific parts of the associated brain increases, resulting in increased blood flow in the blood. It is known that the concentration of oxyhemoglobin 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. FIG. 1 shows a headset of a wearable optical topography WOT-220 device manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (built-in near-infrared light source and detector) as a headset of a device for measuring oxyhemoglobin concentration in the frontal prefield region. It is a figure which shows the measurement point (channel) when it was attached to the head of a subject (a child of 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 brain 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 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 the prefrontal cortex of the brain through one or more of the steps of applying a color scheme or creating an arbitrary pattern using the edible paint and the pattern contour mold. 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 state (sol, cream, etc.), and may be prepared and used by the preparer before preparation. good. Examples of the components include sugars, starches, dextrins, thickeners, powdered fats and oils, coloring agents, fragrances and the like, and one or more of these may be used alone or in combination as appropriate. Further, when the above edible paint is used in a temperature range from refrigeration at 5 to 30 ° C to normal temperature, that is, non-heating (5 to 30 ° C) that does not require heating, it is safe and easy to handle by the preparer. It is suitable in that respect.

The pre-prepared edible paint is an edible paint (prepared in advance) used to formulate a new color, and the color tone is red, blue, yellow, white, and 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. And so on.

Next, mixing a plurality of edible paints having different tones to formulate an edible paint having an arbitrary new color is to use one or more of the pre-preparable edible paint and the post-edible edible paint. Means to formulate an edible post-preparation paint of any new shade. Further, applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using edible paint means that the pattern is arbitrarily colored with 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. do.

The above-mentioned pattern contour formwork forms the contour shape of the pattern, and by arbitrarily putting edible paint in the contour formwork, the pattern can be colored and colored freely. It is a formwork for drawing a pattern on the surface to create a pattern. As the pattern contour formwork, a formwork 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 on 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 formwork, either a bottomless cylindrical 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, sun, moon, 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 preparation of any new color tone (2) A paint before edible preparation having a plurality of different tones and / or an edible preparation. 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-prepared paints and / or post-prepared edible paints having different color tones.

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

Next, in the method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention, preparing a food using the 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-prepared paints having different color tones (B) A plurality of edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portions for separately accommodating the above (A) and two or more kinds of the edible pre-prepared paints are mixed. Food preparation container with edible post-preparation paint container for formulating any new color edible 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-prepared paint accommodating portion have a concave shape in terms of ease of handling.

Further, the method for activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain of the present invention preferably further comprises the following (C) in addition to the above (A) and (B), 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 formwork for coloring a pattern and / or creating a pattern using a pre-mixed paint with a different color tone and / or a new-colored edible post-mixed paint with a new 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 in (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 of the steps of applying an arbitrary color scheme, it is necessary to provide the above-mentioned (A) edible pre-preparation paint and the above-mentioned (B) food preparation container of the brain. It is important in effectively activating the prefrontal area. Further, it is preferable to include the dropper of the above (D). Further, in addition to the above (A), (B), and (D), or instead of (D), a jig for handling edible paint such as a spoon, a spatula, and a brush may be added.
Further, the brain-activating food kit according to the present invention is the edible preparation according to the above (A) in order to design a food preparation process for creating an arbitrary pattern using the edible paint and the pattern contour mold. It is important to have a 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). Further, in addition to (A) to (D) above, or instead of (D), a jig for handling edible paint such as a spoon, a spatula, and a brush may be added.

Further, the food prepared by using the brain activation 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 in and make it into a frozen dessert. 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 by coloring the solid food or drawing a pattern. Examples of the solid food include candy, bakery food (bread, baked confectionery, etc.), chewing gum, gummies, chocolate, jelly, ramune, and the like.

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 the edible paint. It may be a food kit including a solidifying powder.

The food preparation container 11 is provided with three pre-prepared paint accommodating portions 21 for accommodating edible paint. The number of the edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portions 21 may be provided according to the number of edible pre-prepared paints to be used. Further, the food preparation container 11 is provided with eight edible post-preparation paint accommodating portions 22 for mixing two or more kinds of edible pre-preparation paints to prepare an edible post-preparation paint having an arbitrary new color tone. Has been done. The number of the edible post-preparation 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 formulation fails or the edible post-preparation paints are further mixed with each other. It is preferable to provide a large amount in consideration of the above. In addition, for the case where the food preparation container 11 is provided with, for example, an edible pre-prepared paint element (powder) or a solidifying powder, the powders are housed 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 formwork mounting recess 23 is not necessarily limited to accommodating the solidifying powder. For example, a clay-like candy is put therein and the pattern contour formwork 13 is pressed onto the clay-like candy to give a color scheme. It may be used for giving or creating a pattern.

The dropper 12 is used for handling (preparing edible pre-prepared paint, transferring edible pre-prepared paint to the edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portion 22, blending edible post-prepared 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-prepared 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 color the pattern. It is a formwork for drawing and creating a pattern. In FIG. 4A, the shape of the mold is formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder 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, as will be described later, three identical tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork 13s are used, but a plurality of different formwork may be combined.

In the method for preparing the food kit according to the present invention, first, the elements of the edible pre-prepared paint (not shown. Three types of powdered edible pre-prepared paint, red, blue, and yellow) are separately prepared for edible preparation. It is housed in the front paint housing section 21, water is poured from above with a dropper 12 and mixed as it is, and FIG. 4 (
As shown in a), three liquefied edible pre-prepared paint colors (red, blue and yellow) are obtained. 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-prepared paint 40 accommodated in the edible pre-prepared 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 formwork 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. 4A to 4C described above. This is because it has a process to create an arbitrary pattern, so that the prefrontal cortex of the brain is activated. Note that FIG. 4 (e) 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, the food preparation container was prepared in FIG. 4, but 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 a specific pattern contour.

Other examples include a combination confectionery containing a mixed powder of sugar, pregelatinized starch, thickening polysaccharide, etc., which causes 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 combined 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 to the molds, the above-mentioned "step of color arrangement" is provided.

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

<Test Example 1>
≪Preparation of edible pre-preparation paint≫
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-preparation 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-prepared paint accommodating portions 21 in the food preparation container 11, and each of the powders and the water supply is supplied. Water (25 ° C.) and water (25 ° C.) were mixed at a weight ratio of 1: 3 to prepare a three-color edible premix paint of blue, red, and yellow.

≪Measurement of oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain≫
As shown in FIG. 4A, two or more of the three colors of edible pre-prepared paint contained in the three edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portions 21 are optionally accommodated in one edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portion. The oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain was measured during the process of mixing after transferring to part 22 to prepare a color different from the color of the original prefrontal cortex.
The subjects were 18 healthy right-handed children aged 10 years.
(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-prepared paint 40 in the three-color edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portion 21 of blue, red, and yellow can be freely selected and 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 post-prepared paint 41 having a color tone different from that of the edible pre-prepared 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-prepared paint to the vacant edible post-prepared paint accommodating portion 22. The oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex was measured.
(2') As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the blue edible pre-prepared paint 40 in the edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portion 21 was transferred to the edible pre-prepared 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, and the addition averaging was performed.

The results of Test Example 1 and the control are shown in FIG. 5A and 5B are graphs of the average hemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex, FIG. 5A is the result of channels 7 to 16, and FIG. 5B 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 "color scheme" was applied to the prefrontal cortex of the subject's brain. The effect was evaluated.

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

≪Preparation of powder for solidification≫
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 solidification 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 applying the color scheme in the pattern contour mold 13 was measured.
The subjects were 18 healthy right-handed children aged 10 years. In addition, the measurement was performed once in both Test Example 2 and the control in 20 seconds, and the process was performed four times each, and the addition averaging was performed.
(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) Next, it was instructed to paint the leaves of the tulip-shaped pattern contour formwork 13 in green. Next, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a tulip-shaped pattern contour mold can be freely selected from the pre-prepared edible pre-prepared paint 40 and the post-prepared edible paint 41. The flower portion of the frame 13 was colored by using a dropper 12, and the solidifying powder 30 was prepared into a tulip-shaped solid substance having a gummy-like texture by the water content in the edible paint. 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), the yellow of the edible paint was instructed to be colored in the flower part, and the green was instructed to be colored in the leaf part, and in the tulip-shaped pattern contour mold 13. Add using a dropper and add the solidifying powder 30 to a tulip-shaped gummy-like solid with yellow flowers and green leaves by the moisture in the pre-preparation paint. I let you.

The results of Test Example 2 and the control are shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the average value of the 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 tones is better than the color scheme of the pattern contour frame using a pre-specified color scheme (yellow and green only). It was shown to be 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" using the food kit preparation method as shown in FIGS. 4 (a), (b), (d), and (e) affects the prefrontal cortex of the subject's brain. We evaluated the impact.

<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-prepared 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 cortex 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. 4 (e) was subdivided.
The subjects were 18 healthy right-handed children aged 10 years. In addition, the above-mentioned step performed in 40 seconds for both Test Example 3 and the control was performed once, and the step was performed four times each, and the addition averaging was performed.

The results of Test Example 3 and the control are shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the average value of the 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 coloring 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 it was necessary to select a color in the control of Test Example 3, and the work time per work was long and the child ended 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 (R2 = 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 contour formwork 21 Edible 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
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Claims (8)

A mixture of different edible paints of multiple tones, and wherein the benzalkonium be formulated edible paint any new color, food for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain. Using different edible paints of multiple tones, and wherein the score facilities any color scheme design pattern, food for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain. By using the different edible paint and pattern contour for formwork of a plurality of color tones, an arbitrary picture pattern characterized by a wound Turkey, food for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain. Wherein the following steps (1) (2) Seisuru it through tone, food for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain.
(1) A step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different color tones to prepare a paint after edible preparation of any new color tone (2) A paint before edible preparation having a plurality of different tones and / or an edible preparation. The process of applying an arbitrary color scheme to a pattern using post-paint Wherein the following steps (1) (3) Seisuru it through tone, food for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain.
(1) A step of mixing a plurality of edible paints having different tones to prepare a paint after edible preparation of any new color tone (3) A paint before edible preparation having a plurality of different tones and / or an edible preparation. The process of creating an arbitrary pattern using post-paint and a formwork for pattern contour A brain-activating food kit for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain, which comprises the following (A) and (B) .
(A) A plurality of edible pre-prepared paints having different color tones (B) A plurality of edible pre-prepared paint accommodating portions for separately accommodating the above (A) and two or more kinds of the edible pre-prepared paints are mixed. Food preparation container with edible post-preparation paint container for formulating any new color edible post-preparation paint The brain-activating food kit for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain according to claim 6, further comprising the following (C).
(C) A pattern contour formwork for coloring a pattern and / or creating a pattern using edible pre-mixing paint and / or post-mixing paint having different color tones. The brain-activating food kit for activating the left prefrontal cortex of the brain according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising the following (D).
(D) A dropper for handling, blending, coloring the pattern, and creating the pattern, at least one of the above-mentioned edible paints.

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