In berry-licious good news, research from the University of Cincinnati has found that the consumption of strawberries on a daily basis could help to reduce the risk of developing dementia for certain middle-aged populations. Their research has been published in the journal Nutrients.
“Both strawberries and blueberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been implicated in a variety of berry health benefits such as metabolic and cognitive enhancements,” said Robert Krikorian, PhD., professor emeritus in the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience. “There is epidemiological data suggesting that people who consume strawberries or blueberries regularly have a slower rate of cognitive decline with aging.”
Strawberries also contain other micronutrients called ellagitannins and ellagic acid to go along with the anthocyanins that are also associated with health benefits, which could be helpful to the approximately 50% of individuals who develop insulin resistance (prediabetes) at around middle age, which is a known factor for many chronic diseases. While strawberry consumption has been studied for metabolic and cardiovascular benefits there are relatively few on the cognitive effects.
