“Study Suggests Daily Strawberry Consumption May Reduce Risk of Dementia for Middle-aged Adults”
By Tracy Swartz
Published Nov. 12, 2023, 12:40 p.m. ET
In a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Cincinnati, it was found that consuming strawberries every day could potentially decrease the risk of dementia for certain individuals in middle age. The study, which was published in the journal Nutrients, focused on 30 overweight patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Participants in the 12-week study were asked to refrain from consuming berries, except for a daily packet of supplement powder mixed with water and consumed with breakfast. Half of the participants were given a powder equivalent to one cup of whole strawberries, while the other half received a placebo. The researchers then tracked the participants’ long-term memory, mood, and metabolic health.
The results indicated that those in the strawberry powder group performed better on a word-list learning test and experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. According to Robert Krikorian, a professor at the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, strawberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been implicated in various health benefits such as cognitive enhancements.
Krikorian also noted that the strawberries in the study may have improved cognitive function by reducing inflammation in the brain, particularly for middle-aged, overweight individuals with prediabetic conditions. However, Krikorian emphasized the need for future research involving a larger sample size and different strawberry doses.
It’s important to note that the university’s research was supported by the California Strawberry Commission, but the group had no involvement in the design, data collection, analysis, or publication of the study’s results.
These findings provide intriguing insight into the potential cognitive benefits of regular strawberry consumption and may have significant implications for the prevention of dementia in middle-aged adults. Further research in this area could offer valuable information for individuals seeking to maintain cognitive health as they age.