Blueberries May Boost Memory in Older Adults, According to New Study

Naturally-rich source of key Antioxidants, Flavonoids and Phytonutrients beneficial
to cognitive and mental function...

Supplemental blueberries for only 12 weeks
may boost memory in older people with early memory problems, says a new study from the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form
of dementia and currently affects over 13 million
people worldwide. The direct and indirect cost of Alzheimer care
is over $100 billion in the US alone.

"These preliminary memory findings are encouraging and suggest
that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an
approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration" reported the
researchers from the University of Cincinnati Academic Health
Center.

Blueberry consumption has previously been linked to reduced risk
of Alzheimer's, with reports leading to a boom in sales.

The beneficial effects of the blueberries are thought to be linked
to their flavonoid content... In particular anthocyanins and flavanols.
The exact way in which flavonoids affect the brain are unknown,
but they have previously been shown to cross the blood brain
barrier after dietary intake.

It is believed that blueberries may exert their effects on learning
and memory by enhancing existing neuronal connections,
improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal
regeneration.

Study details:
The researchers recruited nine older people (average age of
76.2 ) and an average educational level of 15-16 years. Subjects
were assigned to receive a daily dose of blueberry juice
equivalent to between 6 and 9 mL per kilogram of body weight
per day.

Results showed significant improvements in improved learning
and word list recall. There was also a trend towards reduced
depressive symptoms and lower glucose levels. The researchers
further expressed that it would be interesting in future studies to
examine if changes in cognitive function are associated with
metabolic improvements.

"Replication of the findings in a larger, controlled trial will be
important to corroborate and amplify these data," wrote the
researchers. "On balance, this initial study establishes a basis
for further human research of blueberry supplementation as a
preventive intervention with respect to cognitive aging," they
concluded.

The other researchers were affiliated with Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada and the USDA Human Nutrition Research
Center on Aging and Tufts University.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online "Blueberry Supplementation Improves
Memory in Older Adults"