The Alzheimer’s Association believes that by 2025 more than seven million Americans will have this memory/behavioral disorder. Developing in a healthy brain, the symptoms of this neurodegenerative disorder appear slowly and get worse over time. It eventually interferes with daily tasks and in the end, disrupts the autonomic nervous system which is responsible for controlling heart rate and breathing.
The team piggy backed off earlier studies showing the power of blueberries in cognitive performance and conducted two new studies; “The first involved 47 adults, 68 years old or older and beginning to show signs of mild cognitive impairment — a risk factor for Alzheimer’s”, according to the article. They began by doing tests and brain scans for each participant then after the two groups were formed, one group got a placebo powder once a day for 16 weeks and the other group consumed a freeze-dried blueberry powder, which was the equivalent of one cup of berries.
The group who consumed actual blueberry powder demonstrated improved memory and improved access to words and concepts and their second brain scan showed increased activity.
The second study included 94 people (between the ages of 62 and 80) who reported some memory problems. The researchers divided the participants into four groups with each group receiving either blueberry powder, fish oil, fish oil and powder, or placebo. However, while cognition was somewhat better for those taking either blueberry powder or fish oil separately, memory barely improved, and not as much as in the first study. Their scans showed the same unimpressive results.
It’s obvious more studies need to be done, but in the mean time, blueberries are delicious, a good source of vitamins, and protect your skin from the inside out. Enjoy them and eat them often!
Source: Medical Daily
