The blueberry is considered a “super fruit,” since one serving
contains 25% of a person’s daily Vitamin C requirement, as well
as fiber that’s beneficial for your heart and manganese that’s
imperative to bone health. This fruit that’s loaded with healthful
antioxidants may lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, and according
to new research, even
Alzheimer’s disease.
"Our new findings corroborate those of previous animal studies and
preliminary human studies, adding further support to the notion that blueberries
can have a real benefit in improving memory and cognitive function in
some older adults," says Robert Krikorian, Ph.D., leader of the research team.
Dr. Krikorian also adds that blueberries’ beneficial effects could
be derived from flavonoids called anthocyanins, which have demonstrated
an improvement in animals’ cognition. According to the National
Institutes of Health, consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants will
help delay aging.
Krikorian and his colleagues at University of Cincinnati Academic Health
Center performed two human studies. One study involved 47 adults with
mild cognitive impairment aged 68 and older. The researchers gave them
either freeze-dried blueberry powder, which is equivalent to a cup of
berries, or a placebo powder once a day for 16 weeks. Krikorian discovered
that there was an improvement in cognitive performance and brain function,
such as memory and access to words and concepts, in those who had taken
the blueberry powder compared to those who took the placebo.
The second study comprised of 94 people, who felt their memories declining,
from ages 62 to 80. They were divided into four groups, where they received
blueberry power, fish oil, fish oil and powder, or placebo. Krikorian
observed that cognition slightly improved the adults who took the powder
or fish oil separately, and stated that perhaps the participants had less
severe issues compared to the first group.
Currently 5.3 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. According
to the Alzheimer’s Association, the number of Americans with this
condition could increase 40% to more than 7 million by 2025 and could
almost triple by 2050.
Contact All Seasons Residential Assisted Living and
request more information about Alzheimer’s and our facilities today!