Home Ingredients Neuravena® (Wild Green Oat Extract — Frutarom)
Cognitive

Neuravena® (Wild Green Oat Extract — Frutarom)

Avena sativa
Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
6 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Neuravena® (EFLA® 955) is a proprietary wild green oat extract (Avena sativa) developed by Frutarom Health, now IFF. Small acute single-dose trials found modest improvements on some attention and executive-function tasks; the only trial of daily use (12 weeks) found no effect on any cognitive measure. All trials used the branded extract and were manufacturer-supplied or co-authored. One of Frutarom Health's flagship branded ingredients.

Studied Dose 800 to 1,600 mg as a single dose in the acute trials (800 mg effective in Kennedy 2017; 1,600 mg in Berry 2011). The 12-week daily-use trial at 1,500 mg/day found no cognitive effect.
Active Compound Wild green oat (Avena sativa) standardized bioactivity-tested extract

Benefits

Cognitive Function and Attention

Two small acute single-dose trials found modest improvements on some attention and executive-function tasks in middle-aged and older adults. All trials used the branded extract and were manufacturer-supplied or co-authored, and effects were seen within hours of a single dose, not with daily use.

Supported by Trial 1

Cognitive Performance Under Demand

Acute single-dose trials measured performance on timed attention and executive-function tasks; improvements were modest and appeared within hours of one dose, not with regular daily use.

Supported by Trial 1

Daily Use: Not Shown to Improve Cognition

The manufacturer markets the extract for daily mental performance, but the only trial of daily use over 12 weeks found no cognitive benefit.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 1

Wild Oat Strain (Product Specification, Not a Health Outcome)

The manufacturer selects a wild oat strain it describes as higher in bioactive content. This is a sourcing specification, not a measured health benefit.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Bioactivity Testing (Manufacturing Specification, Not a Health Outcome)

The manufacturer applies bioactivity testing during production. This is a quality-control specification and does not itself demonstrate a health benefit.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Traditional Use (Not a Clinical Finding)

Oats have a long history of dietary use. Traditional use is not evidence of a cognitive benefit.

Supported by Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) Inhibition (Laboratory Finding)

In laboratory (in vitro) studies wild oat compounds modestly inhibit PDE4, which raises cAMP signaling. This is a proposed mechanism from lab work and has not been shown to produce cognitive effects in people.

2

Monoamine Oxidase B (MAO-B) Inhibition (Laboratory Finding)

Modest MAO-B inhibition has been observed in laboratory assays. Its relevance to cognition or motivation in people has not been demonstrated.

3

Cerebral Blood Flow Effects

A possible effect on cerebral blood flow has been proposed but is not established in the human trials of this extract.

4

Antioxidant Activity

Wild oat polyphenols show antioxidant activity in laboratory assays. A neuronal protective effect in people has not been shown.

Clinical trials

1
Acute Single-Dose Trial in Middle-Aged Adults (Kennedy 2017, Manufacturer Co-Authored)
PubMed

Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of single doses (800 and 1,600 mg) of the branded wild green oat extract. Two authors were employees of the manufacturer (Frutarom).

Healthy adults aged 40 to 65 who reported age-related memory decline.

A single 800 mg dose modestly improved speed on a combined timed-task measure and some memory and executive-function tasks within hours. Acute single-dose effects only; the optimal dose was at or below 800 mg.

2
12-Week Daily-Use Trial in Older Adults: No Cognitive Effect (Wong 2012)
PubMed

12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of daily wild green oat extract (1,500 mg/day). Extract supplied by the manufacturer (Frutarom).

37 healthy older adults, mean age 67 years.

Chronic daily supplementation did not affect any measure of cognition. This is the only trial of regular daily use and it was null.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress.
Allergic reactions to oats — relevant for those with celiac disease (oats often cross-contaminated with wheat) or gluten sensitivity.
Theoretical effects on iron absorption (oat phytates).

Important Drug interactions

MAOIs — theoretical interaction with MAO-B inhibitor mechanism.
Levothyroxine — fiber may modestly affect; separate timing.
Antidepressants — theoretical interactions.
Pregnancy — generally considered safe.
Lactation — generally safe.
Celiac disease / gluten sensitivity — verify oat purity.

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Frequently asked questions about Neuravena® (Wild Green Oat Extract — Frutarom)

What is Neuravena?

Neuravena® (EFLA® 955) is a proprietary wild green oat extract (Avena sativa) developed by Frutarom Health, now IFF. Small acute single-dose trials found modest improvements on some attention and executive-function tasks; the only trial of daily use (12 weeks) found no effect on any cognitive measure.

What is Neuravena used for?

Neuravena is researched primarily for Cognitive. Two small acute single-dose trials found modest improvements on some attention and executive-function tasks in middle-aged and older adults.

What is the recommended dosage of Neuravena?

The clinically studied dose is 800 to 1,600 mg as a single dose in the acute trials (800 mg effective in Kennedy 2017; 1,600 mg in Berry 2011). The 12-week daily-use trial at 1,500 mg/day found no cognitive effect. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Neuravena safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Neuravena is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI distress. It may also interact with some medications. Neuravena is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Neuravena interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: MAOIs — theoretical interaction with MAO-B inhibitor mechanism. Levothyroxine — fiber may modestly affect; separate timing. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Neuravena?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Neuravena as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Kennedy DO, Jackson PA, Forster J, Khan J, Grothe T, Perrinjaquet-Moccetti T, et al. Acute effects of a wild green-oat (Avena sativa) extract on cognitive function in middle-aged adults: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2017;20(2):135-151. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2015.1101304.PubMedUsed to support: Confirmed via efetch: Nutr Neurosci 2017;20(2):135-151, Kennedy DO et al with Frutarom co-authors (Grothe, Perrinjaquet-Moccetti). Acute single-dose 800/1600 mg crossover in adults 40-65; 800 mg increased speed on a global timed-task measure; optimal dose at or below 800 mg.
  2. Wong RH, Howe PR, Bryan J, Coates AM, Buckley JD, Berry NM Chronic effects of a wild green oat extract supplementation on cognitive performance in older adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Nutrients. 2012;4(5):331-42. doi: 10.3390/nu4050331.PubMedUsed to support: Confirmed via efetch: Nutrients 2012;4(5):331-42, Wong RH et al. 12-week RCT crossover, n=37, mean age 67, 1500 mg/day WGOE (Neuravena EFLA955, Frutarom). 'Chronic WGOE supplementation did not affect any measures of cognition.'
  3. Berry NM, Robinson MJ, Bryan J, Buckley JD, Murphy KJ, Howe PR Acute effects of an Avena sativa herb extract on responses to the Stroop Color-Word test. J Altern Complement Med. 2011;17(7):635-7. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0450.PubMedUsed to support: Small acute single-dose trial in elderly volunteers with below-average cognition: only the 1,600 mg dose reduced Stroop color-naming errors, while 2,400 mg was not better than placebo. Very small and acute-only; a manufacturer-supplied branded extract.