Blueberries May Boost Memory

In the first human trial assessing the potential benefits of blueberries on brain function in older adults with increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Robert Krikorian, from University of Cincinnati (Ohio, USA), and colleagues recruited nine older men and women, average age 76.2 years, and asked them to consume a daily dose of blueberry juice equivalent to between 6 and 9 mL per kilogram of body weight (approximately equal to 500 mL).  The team found that after just twelve weeks of consumption, the subjects displayed significant improvements in improved learning and word list recall. As well, the study participants showed less depressive symptoms and lower glucose levels.  The researchers encourage that: “The findings of this preliminary study suggest that moderate-term blueberry supplementation can confer neurocognitive benefit.”