Blueberries May Improve Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults

Older adults who consumed 30 ml of blueberry concentrate with high amounts of anthocyanidins daily showed improvements in brain areas associated with cognitive function, according to a new study.

The study examined whether consumption of blueberries, known to contain high amounts of flavonoids, were associated with reduced age-related cognitive decline and improved brain perfusion, task-related activation and cognitive function in healthy, older adults.
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In the study, 5 female and 7 male participants (mean age 67.5±3.0 years) were randomly assigned to consume 30 ml of blueberry concentrate with 387 mg anthocyanidins once a day for 12 weeks, while 8 female and 6 male participants (mean age 69.0 ±3.3 years) were randomly assigned to consume isoenergetic placebo once a day for 12 weeks. Before and after consuming the concentrate or placebo, participants completed a series of cognitive function tests and a numerical Stroop test within a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging scanner while functional magnetic resonance images were continuously acquired.

Researchers determined the quantitative resting brain perfusion using an arterial spin labelling technique, and measured blood biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress.

“Significant increases in brain activity were observed in response to blueberry supplementation relative to the placebo group within Brodmann areas 4/6/10/21/40/44/45, precuneus, anterior cingulate, and insula/thalamus (p<0.001), as well as significant improvements in grey matter perfusion in the parietal (5.0±1.8 vs -2.9±2.4 %, p=0.013) and occipital (8.0±2.6 vs -0.7±3.2 %, p=0.031) lobes,” the researchers wrote.

In addition, researchers found evidence from 2 back tests that suggested improvements in working memory in participants who consumed the blueberry concentrate compared with participants who consumed the placebo (p=0.05).

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Bowtell JL, Aboo-Bakkar Z, Conway M, Adlam ALR, and Fulford J. Enhanced task related brain activation and resting perfusion in healthy older adults after chronic blueberry supplementation [published online March 1, 2017]. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. doi:10.1139/apnm-2016-0550.