FOOD & DRINK
University of Cincinnati researchers claim that eating strawberries every day could help reduce the risk of dementia for certain people of middle age.
In the 12-week study published in the journal Nutrients, 30 overweight patients who had complained of mild cognitive impairment were asked to abstain from eating berries — except for a daily packet of supplement powder mixed with water and consumed with breakfast.
Half the participants, who were 50 to 65 years old, received a powder with the equivalent of one cup of whole strawberries (the standard serving size), while the other half got a placebo.
They found that those in the strawberry powder group performed better on a word-list learning test and had a significant reduction in depressive symptoms.
Robert Krikorian UC College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
Robert Krikorian UC College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
Krikorian noted that strawberries also contain ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which have been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.
Krikorian said the strawberries in his study may have improved cognitive function by reducing inflammation in the brain.