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A sweet and juicy fruit often found in breakfast foods and baked goods, blueberry actually has many health benefits. It is high in fiber, which helps maintain normal digestion. It is also rich in antioxidants, which keep healthy cells alive. A study published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has also suggested that blueberries can boost memory in older adults.
The researchers from the University of Cincinnati based their theory on a group of seniors in their 70s who are experiencing early memory decline. The subjects showed a significant improvement on memory tests after drinking 2 to 2.5 cups of a commercially available blueberry juice every day for two months. “These preliminary memory findings are encouraging and suggest that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration,” notes the report.
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The study cites the polyphenolic compound anthocyanin found in blueberries as responsible for its memory-enhancing capability. This compound is believed to be responsible for "increased neuronal signaling in brain centers, mediating memory function as well as improved glucose disposal, benefits that would be expected to mitigate neurodegeneration."
Blueberries’ memory-boosting effect, along with its other health benefits, has driven many nutritional companies to use the fruit as a main ingredient in their commercially-produced drinks. YJ Sciences Inc., for instance, has fused blueberries in its juice drink, YouthJuice.
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Learn more about the health benefits of eating blueberries here.
