| Want to do something to help improve | | | | polyphenols in blueberries (known as anthocyanins) |
| concentration and memory? Try a glass of | | | | have increased signaling in brain centers linked to |
| blueberry juice and you'll be giving your brain a | | | | memory. They also aid the brain in getting rid of |
| boost says a new study on blueberries health | | | | glucose. |
| benefits in the Journal of Agricultural and Food | | | | Beyond what you eat, there are other things you |
| Chemistry. | | | | can do to keep your mind sharp as you age. |
| According to the groundbreaking research, a daily | | | | Exercise regularly as this brings more oxygen to |
| drink of wild blueberry juice improved the | | | | your brain. Eat a healthy diet with fruits (including |
| memory of older subjects who were known to | | | | blueberries), veggies, whole grains and healthy |
| have memory problems related to age. | | | | fats. |
| Experts have long believed that what we eat and | | | | Stress can be a terrible drain on your mind, so |
| drink has an impact on thinking capacity, but this is | | | | you'll need to do all you can to manage the stress |
| the first work to show the benefit of a food like | | | | in your life. Be sure you get a good night's sleep, |
| blueberries in helping the memory of older people | | | | and if you're not, take steps to improve your |
| who are already at risk for dementia. | | | | sleep habits. |
| While some lapses in memory or slowing down of | | | | Lastly, don't smoke, as this increases the risk of |
| thinking are a normal part of getting older, | | | | vascular disorders that can cause stroke or |
| significant memory loss is not. | | | | constrict arteries that bring oxygen to the brain. |
| Surprisingly, the brain is able to produce new cells | | | | If you find you're already forgetting more than |
| at any age, and can be trained or learn new | | | | you'd like, here things you can do... |
| things at any age. What we often put down to | | | | - Use notes or checklists to keep yourself |
| forgetfulness is more accurately a slowing down | | | | organized. |
| of the brain's ability to absorb, store and retrieve | | | | - Put important appointments/dates in a planner, |
| new information. | | | | calendar or electronic organizer. |
| "The findings of this preliminary study suggest | | | | - Put things you use all the time in the same spot |
| that moderate-term blueberry supplementation | | | | every time. |
| can confer neurocognitive benefit," says | | | | - Write down the steps for complex, or difficult |
| researcher Robert Krikorian, of the University of | | | | to remember tasks. |
| Cincinnati Academic Health Center. | | | | - Use an alarm clock or timer to help you |
| A group of participants in their 70s who had signs | | | | remember when to leave or do something. |
| of age related memory decline drank almost two | | | | - Rely on maps, GPS systems, or family and |
| and a half cups of commercially available blueberry | | | | friends to help get yourself from point A to point |
| juice each day, while a control group of subjects | | | | B. |
| drank a berry flavored, non-juice beverage in | | | | - Learn new things faster by listening closely |
| similar amounts. The study lasted two months | | | | when someone talks, repeat back the information, |
| The team conducted memory tests, like word | | | | focus on one thing at a time and try to have |
| associations and word list recall, at both the start | | | | your session in quiet, distraction free places. |
| and end of the study period. | | | | - Do mental exercise - play strategy games, try |
| The results? Those who drank the blueberry juice | | | | crossword or number puzzles, read newspapers |
| had significant improvement in learning and | | | | and magazines that challenge you, learn new |
| memory tests compared to the demographically | | | | things like games, recipes or driving routes, take a |
| matched sample that drank the non-juice | | | | course in a subject you don't know or try a |
| beverage. | | | | project that calls for design and planning. |
| The blueberry juice drinkers also reported fewer | | | | - Social interaction aids the brain by challenging the |
| symptoms of depression and had lower glucose | | | | mind and helping to ease stress or symptoms of |
| levels. More work will be done to confirm these | | | | depression brought on by isolation. |
| details, but the benefits of the blueberries on | | | | Remember, to a great extent, keeping your brain |
| memory seem pretty clear. | | | | healthy and sharp in the years to come is within |
| Blueberries, beyond being tasty, have a great deal | | | | your control. All you have to do is get started to |
| of phytochemicals, known to have antioxidant and | | | | see results whereby you improve concentration |
| anti-inflammatory effects on the body. | | | | and memory. |
| Earlier studies on animals have found that | | | | |