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Natural blueberries minimize Alzheimer's effects
In Germany, about 1.5 million people suffer from dementia, most of whom have Alzheimer's. The disease is currently incurable, but can be delayed in the initial stage with drugs. American scientists may now have discovered a natural remedy for the symptoms: Apparently, blueberries can help alleviate memory problems with onset of dementia.
Health promoting effect of blueberries
The health benefits of blueberries have been known for some time. Blueberries are rich in vitamins and fiber, they are free radicals, anti-inflammatory and increase the elasticity of the blood vessels. The berries lower the risk of heart attack and protect against gingivitis. American scientists have now found in a study that blueberries can apparently also alleviate memory problems in incipient dementia.
Blueberries reduce dementia. Image: zia_shusha - fotolia Diet may have an impact on mental decline
In Germany alone, around 1.5 million people suffer from dementia, the majority of them with Alzheimer's disease. There are approximately 47 million dementia patients worldwide. And there are more and more: According to the World Alzheimer's Report, every 3.2 seconds another diagnosis of dementia is made. The disease is not curable so far, but can be delayed in the initial stage with medication. In addition, there have been increasing indications in recent years that a special diet could at least delay and reduce intellectual decline.
Brain could benefit from blueberries
A research team led by Robert Krikorian from the University of Cincinnati have now found in a study that even "domestic superfood" can relieve Alzheimer's symptoms. So the scientists have discovered that the brain could benefit from blueberries. As part of their study, the scientists administered 47 daily 68-year-olds with first loss of memory daily about a large handful of blueberries in the form of a powder of freeze-dried berries. A second group received a similar-looking placebo powder instead.
Stronger brain activity visible
At the beginning and after 16 weeks both the memory and the intellectual achievements of all participants were tested. As reported in the journal "EurekAlert!", The researchers found measurable improvements in memory and mental performance in the group that consumed blueberry powder daily. The Blueberry group thus showed better access to words and abstract concepts. Furthermore, in brain scans using functional magnetic resonance tomography (fMRI) a stronger brain activity of Blueberry participants was visible.
Positive effect attributed to phytochemicals
This was not the case for the participants who received the placebo. "Those who got the blueberries showed a clear improvement in mental performance and brain function over the placebo recipients," said Krikorian. Researchers believe that the beneficial effect of blueberries is due to the anthocyanins they contain. Anthocyanins are phytochemicals found in blue, purple, red or blue-black vegetables and fruits. Already in previous investigations, a brain-protecting effect of this plant substance had been shown in Parkinson's patients. "Our findings confirm these previous studies and support the notion that blueberries can have a positive effect on memory and mental performance," at least in some older people, according to study authors.
Effect only with existing mental failures
However, another study with a good 90 seniors without incipient memory failures revealed no such clear effect of the berries. Thus, although there were slight improvements in the general mental performance, but not in memory. The functional MRI scans also showed less differences from the placebo group than the elderly with memory problems already starting. The researchers conclude from these findings that the Blueberry ingredients show positive effects, especially if there are already mental failures. In people who do not yet show symptoms, the effect may be less pronounced or simply less easily detectable. The researchers now want to check this in a study with younger subjects. (Ad)