Could Blueberries Help to Prevent Alzheimer Disease?

Blueberries—known as a “superfood” for their potential ability to combat cardiovascular disease and cancer risk—may help to prevent Alzheimer disease, according to 2 recent recent studies.

The results, presented at the 251st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, “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,” according to researchers.
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They attribute the potential protective effects of blueberries to anthocyanins, compounds that give the fruit their dark blue color, along with high levels of antioxidants found within the berries.

Their first study involved 47 adults with mild cognitive impairment who were given freeze-dried blueberry powder (equivalent to 1 cup of berries) or placebo once a day for 16 weeks.

Overall, researchers observed improvements in cognitive performance and brain function in those participants given blueberry powder compared to placebo. Increased brain activity was also observed on functional magnetic resonance imaging taken of the participants.

The second study divided 94 participants with subjective memory decline into 4 groups, assigning each blueberry powder, fish oil, fish oil and powder, or placebo.

Overall, cognition appeared to improve in patients taking either the powder or fish oil separately, but no improvements to memory were observed.

The researchers plan to conduct further trials in younger patients (between 50 and 65 years old) in the future, including those at greater risk for Alzheimer disease, such as obese individuals, or those with high blood pressure or cholesterol.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

American Chemical Society. Blueberries, the well-known ‘super fruit,’ could help fight Alzheimer’s [press release]. March 13, 2016. http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/648657/?sc=sphr&xy=10012237.