Blueberries may help beat Alzheimer's: study

Eating blueberries, the well-known ‘super fruit’, may not only lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, but also provide protection against Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has claimed.

The fruit is loaded with healthful antioxidants, and these substances could help prevent the devastating effects of this increasingly common form of dementia, researchers said.

“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,” said Robert Krikorian from University of Cincinnati in the U.S.

Blueberries’ beneficial effects could be due to flavonoids called anthocyanins, which have been shown to improve animals’



cognition, he said.

Researchers conducted two human studies to follow up on earlier clinical trials. One study involved 47 adults aged 68 and older, who had mild cognitive impairment, a risk condition for Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists 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.

“There was improvement in cognitive performance and brain function in those who had the blueberry powder compared with those who took the placebo. The blueberry group demonstrated improved memory and improved access to words and concepts,” said Mr. Krikorian.

Researchers also conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which showed increased brain activity in those who ingested the blueberry powder.