A recent study suggests that a strawberry a day could help combat dementia. The study, published in the journal Nutrients last month, was conducted by researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC) who studied 30 patients between the ages of 50 and 65 who had experienced symptoms of mild cognitive decline.
During the study, participants were asked to avoid eating any berry fruit and instead added a packet of supplement powder to their water each morning. For half the group, the powder contained strawberries.
Following the consumption of the strawberry-infused powder, participants were asked to complete tests to measure their memory and other cognitive functions, as well as their mood, signs of depression, and metabolic data. The results revealed that the group who drank the strawberry-infused powder had reduced memory interference compared to those who did not.
Lead researcher Robert Krikorian, and professor emeritus in the UC College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, noted that those who received the strawberry powder also experienced reduced depressive symptoms, better emotional control, and improved problem-solving compared to the placebo group.
It is thought that the health benefits of strawberries stem from antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, and obesity. The fruit also contains micronutrients called ellagitannins and ellagic acid, both of which have been shown to spark cognitive and metabolic health benefits.
Looking ahead, Krikorian called for more studies to analyze larger groups of people consuming various dosages of strawberry-containing supplements.
Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian, noted that strawberries are an excellent source of antioxidants that can fight against inflammation in the body. She highlighted that strawberry consumption has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve antioxidant capacity, both of which may help to fight the risk of dementia.
While these studies suggest that strawberries may have cognitive benefits, more research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to confirm these findings. Nevertheless, the results so far are very promising.