(19-01-13) Berry consumption linked to lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Incidence of cognitive decline leading to dementia and
Alzheimer's disease is rising at unprecedented levels among those aged 65 and
older. Many people fear the myriad of memory-robbing forms of dementia more
than a diagnosis of cancer. Blueberries and strawberries, which are high in
flavonoids that easily cross the blood-brain barrier, have been shown to to
reduce cognitive decline in older adults in prior bodies of research.

A new study recently published in the Annals of Neurology suggests that
cognitive aging could be delayed by up to 2.5 years in elderly individuals who
consume greater amounts of flavonoid-rich berries. In the past, studies have
hinted at the positive effects of flavonoids from berry consumption, but have
been limited to animal studies or very small sample groups. This is the first
research to demonstrate the critical preventive and healing nature of
anthocyanins in a very large cohort of more than 100,000 senior aged adults.

Flavonoids are bioactive structures found in plants that are known to have
powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nutrition researchers
theorize that stress and inflammation contribute to cognitive impairment and
that increasing consumption of flavonoids could thwart the harmful effects.
Many forms of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease, are rapidly emerging as
illnesses caused largely by poor lifestyle (environmental pollution, household
chemicals and electromagnetic forces) and a highly processed diet consisting of
sugar, glucose-stimulating carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats.

Blueberries and strawberries improve cognitive skills in aging adults
To conduct the study, researchers examined data from a cohort of 121,700
female registered nurses between the ages of 30 and 55 who completed health and
lifestyle questionnaires beginning in 1976. Participants provided details about
frequency of food consumption every four years, and cognitive function was
measured in 16,010 subjects over the age of 70 years, at 2-year intervals.

Researchers found that increased consumption of blueberries and strawberries
slows cognitive decline by up to 2.5 years in older women. A greater intake of
anthocyanidins and total flavonoids was also associated with a reduction in
cognitive degeneration leading to Alzheimer's disease. Lead study author, Dr.
Elizabeth Devore concluded "Our study examined whether greater intake of
berries could slow rates of cognitive decline. We provide the first
epidemiologic evidence that berries may slow progression of cognitive decline
in elderly women. Our findings have significant public health implications as
increasing berry intake is a fairly simple dietary modification for older
adults."

As aging adults fall prey to the processes of cognitive decline, dementia and
Alzheimer's disease at an unprecedented pace, it is comforting to know that
there are a number of lifestyle and dietary steps that can be followed to
improve brain health and memory loss. Include one to two daily servings from a
wide variety of berries, especially blueberries and strawberries to improve
cognition and normal brain function.

Sources for this article include:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ana.23594
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426110250.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/244647.php

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