According to researchers from the University of Cincinnati, daily consumption of strawberries could reduce risk of developing dementia among some middle-aged people.
Strawberries and Dementia Risk
The study comprised 12 weeks and was participated by 30 overweight participants who reportedly complained of mild cognitive impairment. These participants were asked to abstain from strawberry consumption, except a small supplement packet of powder that is to be dissolved and mixed in water and eaten with breakfast.
Around half of the participants, with the ages of 50 to 65 years old, got powder that was equivalent to a cup of whole strawberries. The remaining half were given a placebo.
As part of the study, the researchers monitored the metabolic health, mood, and long-term memory of the participants.
The researchers discovered that the group that consumed the strawberry powder had better performance on a learning test focusing on word lists. This group was also seen to have significantly reduced depressive symptoms.
Robert Krikorian, professor emeritus from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the UC College of Medicine, explains that strawberries and blueberries alike contain antioxidants known as anthocyanins. These antioxidants have been implicated in various health benefits from berries, including enhancements in cognitive and metabolic health. Professor Krikorian adds that there is epidemiological data that suggests that those who regularly eat blueberries or strawberries have a slower cognitive decline rate as they age.
Professor Krikorian further noted that strawberries are filled with ellagitannins and ellagic acid. These have been observed to contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. He adds that the strawberries in the study could have boosted cognition by reducing brain inflammation. He explains that executive abilities start declining during middle age, further noting that excess fat in the abdomen could boost inflammation, including inflammation in the brain.
With this, one may think that the prediabetic, overweight, and middle-aged sample had higher inflammation levels that could have led to mild executive ability impairment. Professor Krikorian adds that the observed beneficial effects could be linked to inflammation moderation in the group that ate strawberries.
He notes that further study should comprise a bigger sample and different doses of strawberries.
Dementia
Dementia generally comprises the loss of language, memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities. This loss is severe enough to affect daily living and functioning.
The condition is not a single disease. Rather, it is an umbrella term that comprises various symptoms one may experience while suffering from different conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's accounts for roughly 60% to 80% of dementia cases, while vascular dementia is the second most common dementia cause. Vascular dementia takes place due to tiny bleeding and blood vessel blockages within the brain.
Dementia signs could vary from case to case and tend to be progressive. This means that these symptoms start out slow and become worse as time passes.
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