A new study by
researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) finds that a high
intake of flavonoid rich berries, such as strawberries and blueberries,
over time, can delay memory decline in older women by 2.5 years. This
study is published by Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, on April 26, 2012.
The study subjects were a cohort of 121,700 female, registered nurses between the ages of 30 and 55—who completed health and lifestyle questionnaires beginning in 1976. From 1980 researchers collected details on the frequency of food consumption once every four years. Between 1995 and 2001, memory was measured in 16,010 subjects over the age of 70 years, at 2-year intervals. Women included in the present study had a mean age of 74 and mean body mass index of 26.
Researchers found that increased consumption of blueberries and strawberries was associated with a slower rate of memory decline in older women. Greater the intake of anthocyanidins and total flavonoids lesser was the memory decline. The reduction was moderate among women who consumed 2 or more servings of strawberries and blueberries each week It seems that the effect was attainable with relatively simple dietary modifications .The study was unique as it was of such a large scale and over a long period of time. Whether the beneficial effect of regular consumption of berries will be seen in men is not known. Berries are rich; it is worthwhile making it a part of every day diet.
"Our findings have significant public health implications as increasing berry intake is a fairly simple dietary modification to reduce memory decline in older adults" Elizabeth Devore in the Channing Laboratory at BWH the lead researcher of the study noted.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/bawh-bky042512.php
The study subjects were a cohort of 121,700 female, registered nurses between the ages of 30 and 55—who completed health and lifestyle questionnaires beginning in 1976. From 1980 researchers collected details on the frequency of food consumption once every four years. Between 1995 and 2001, memory was measured in 16,010 subjects over the age of 70 years, at 2-year intervals. Women included in the present study had a mean age of 74 and mean body mass index of 26.
Researchers found that increased consumption of blueberries and strawberries was associated with a slower rate of memory decline in older women. Greater the intake of anthocyanidins and total flavonoids lesser was the memory decline. The reduction was moderate among women who consumed 2 or more servings of strawberries and blueberries each week It seems that the effect was attainable with relatively simple dietary modifications .The study was unique as it was of such a large scale and over a long period of time. Whether the beneficial effect of regular consumption of berries will be seen in men is not known. Berries are rich; it is worthwhile making it a part of every day diet.
"Our findings have significant public health implications as increasing berry intake is a fairly simple dietary modification to reduce memory decline in older adults" Elizabeth Devore in the Channing Laboratory at BWH the lead researcher of the study noted.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/bawh-bky042512.php
