Reference Number: 249
Year: 2018
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Dementia
Nutrition: Anthocyanins
Inclusions: Berries>Blueberries
Summary
OBJECTIVES: Preclinical studies have shown that blueberry supplementation can improve cognitive performance and neural function in aged animals and have identified associations between anthocyanins and such benefits. Preliminary human trials also suggest cognitive improvement in older adults, although direct evidence of enhancement of brain function has not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the effect of blueberry supplementation on regional brain activation in older adults at risk for dementia.
METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we performed pre- and post-intervention functional magnetic resonance imaging during a working memory (WM) task to assess the effect of blueberry supplementation on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, a risk condition for dementia.
RESULTS: Following daily supplementation for 16 weeks, blueberry-treated participants exhibited increased BOLD activation in the left pre-central gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and left inferior parietal lobe during WM load conditions (corrected P?<?0.01). There was no clear indication of WM enhancement associated with blueberry supplementation. Diet records indicated no between-group difference in anthocyanin consumption external to the intervention.
DISCUSSION: These data demonstrate, for the first time, enhanced neural response during WM challenge in blueberry-treated older adults with cognitive decline and are consistent with prior trials showing neurocognitive benefit with blueberry supplementation in this at-risk population.
What does this mean for bakers?
Including blueberries in your diet has been linked to improved good mood, and this study indicates they may also benefit enhancement of brain function related to memory… all the more reason to bake with blueberries. Our White Chocolate & Blueberry Bread and Fermented Buttermilk & Blueberry Sourdough Cake are great ways to use blueberries for their flavour as well as all the health benefits they bring.
