A Handful of Blueberries: A Mind-full of Memories
By: Donna Mitchell, Dietetic Intern
Memories are priceless, and when one begins to lose hold of such a priceless treasure, it becomes such an inconvenience. What if there are natural ways to slow this process or combat its uninviting outcomes that are convenient, tasty, and quite inexpensive? Current research explores the brain-empowering effects of blueberries.
Researchers working at the Schools of Ford Bioscience and Psychology and the Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences have found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, are effective at reversing age-related memory inconsistencies. A regular diet supplemented with blueberries over a 12-week period was found to improve spatial working memory tasks within three weeks and continued throughout the rest of the study. (Spatial working memory refers to temporarily holding and manipulating information as related to our ability to function in our environment.
Blueberries are a major source of flavonoids, mainly anthocyanins and flavonols. It is believed that the effects of these flavonoids work by enhancing existing neuronal connections, improving communication between cells and stimulating brain cell regeneration. The research team was able to demonstrate flavonoid ability to generate memory improvement mediated by protein activation via a specific pathway in the hippocampus, the portion of the brain that controls learning and memory. The team plans on extending these findings to further investigate a flavonoid rich diet pertaining to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease.
In laymen’s term, blueberries are not only delicious and packed with nutrients, but they could potentially be useful in increasing memory capacity. Stay tuned for future findings on the wondrous effects of fruits and vegetables; don’t wait until more benefits are being uncovered! Eat your fruits and vegetables NOW- you will likely be receiving more nutritional benefits than we even know to exist.
Quick Blueberry Nutrition Facts:
• Anthocyanidins are responsible for the blue, purple, and red pigments.
• Very good source of Vitamin C, and soluble and insoluble fiber
• Good source of manganese, Vitamin E, and riboflavin
• Contains tannins that act as astringents in the digestive system to firm up loose stools
• Components found in blueberry and cranberry juice reduce the ability for E.coli, the most common cause of urinary tract infections, to adhere.
For more health information on blueberries visit The Blueberry Council at http://www.blueberry.org/health.htm
Memories are priceless, and when one begins to lose hold of such a priceless treasure, it becomes such an inconvenience. What if there are natural ways to slow this process or combat its uninviting outcomes that are convenient, tasty, and quite inexpensive? Current research explores the brain-empowering effects of blueberries.
Researchers working at the Schools of Ford Bioscience and Psychology and the Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences have found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, are effective at reversing age-related memory inconsistencies. A regular diet supplemented with blueberries over a 12-week period was found to improve spatial working memory tasks within three weeks and continued throughout the rest of the study. (Spatial working memory refers to temporarily holding and manipulating information as related to our ability to function in our environment.
Blueberries are a major source of flavonoids, mainly anthocyanins and flavonols. It is believed that the effects of these flavonoids work by enhancing existing neuronal connections, improving communication between cells and stimulating brain cell regeneration. The research team was able to demonstrate flavonoid ability to generate memory improvement mediated by protein activation via a specific pathway in the hippocampus, the portion of the brain that controls learning and memory. The team plans on extending these findings to further investigate a flavonoid rich diet pertaining to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease.
In laymen’s term, blueberries are not only delicious and packed with nutrients, but they could potentially be useful in increasing memory capacity. Stay tuned for future findings on the wondrous effects of fruits and vegetables; don’t wait until more benefits are being uncovered! Eat your fruits and vegetables NOW- you will likely be receiving more nutritional benefits than we even know to exist.
Quick Blueberry Nutrition Facts:
• Anthocyanidins are responsible for the blue, purple, and red pigments.
• Very good source of Vitamin C, and soluble and insoluble fiber
• Good source of manganese, Vitamin E, and riboflavin
• Contains tannins that act as astringents in the digestive system to firm up loose stools
• Components found in blueberry and cranberry juice reduce the ability for E.coli, the most common cause of urinary tract infections, to adhere.
For more health information on blueberries visit The Blueberry Council at http://www.blueberry.org/health.htm
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
4:59 AM
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