Drinking blueberry juice daily for 12 weeks was associated with improved learning and recall of words, as well as a reduced depressive symptoms, according to findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in January 2010.
The study is said to be the first human trial to assess the potential benefits of blueberries on brain function in older adults with increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
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. The direct cost of Alzheimer care in the UK was estimated at £15bn (€ 22bn).
“These preliminary memory findings are encouraging and suggest that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration,” wrote the researchers, led by Robert Krikorian from the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.
“Interpretation of our findings should be tempered because of the relatively small sample size and the absence of a blueberry-specific control, although comparison with the analogous placebo beverage data provides some assurance that the observed changes in memory performance were not attributable to practice effects,” they added.
Beneficial Bioflavonoids
The beneficial effects of the blueberries are thought to be linked to their flavonoid content like that of Grapes and Grape Seeds – 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 they may exert their effects on learning and memory by enhancing existing neuronal connections, improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal regeneration.
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Apr 14;58(7):3996-4000.
“Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults”
Authors: R. Krikorian, M.D. Shidler, T.A. Nash, W. Kalt, M.R. Vinqvist-Tymchuk, B. Shukitt-Hale, J.A. Joseph