ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (Online): Middle-aged adults with overweight and insulin resistance who consumed strawberries for 12 weeks reported a reduction in memory interference and depression, according to a new study.<\/p>\n
With cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, developing slowly over a period of years beginning in midlife, the study\u2019s authors investigated a dietary change that may slow the progression of dementias and may increase mood.<\/p>\n
The study focuses on anthocyanins, a nutritional compound strawberries contain. Previous researchTrusted Source on blueberries \u2014 which also contain anthocyanins \u2014 by the study\u2019s lead author suggested that the compound improved executive brain function.<\/p>\n
The current study was a small randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Five men and 25 women participated. They were split into two groups: one that consumed strawberries and one that received a placebo.
\nThe researchers assessed individuals\u2019 neurocognitive health and mood before the start of the 12-week trial.<\/p>\n
During the trial, the experimental group was instructed to consume one packet of powder mixed with liquid, prepared from whole strawberries desiccated, freeze-dried, and milled. The strawberry packet contained the equivalent of one cup of whole fresh strawberries, established as a standard serving by the California Strawberry Commission, which funded the study.<\/p>\n
The researchers formulated the placebo to have the same taste, appearance, and carbohydrate load as the strawberry powder.
\nNeither group consumed other berries during the trial period to avoid influencing the study\u2019s findings since other such fruits may have neuroprotective compounds of their own.<\/p>\n
The primary effects measured by the authors of the study after the trial period were participants\u2019 frequency of \u201cintrusion errors\u201d and self-reported mood. Intrusion errors describe the repeating or remembering of words that were not included in a word-learning task.<\/p>\n
The researchers observed fewer intrusion errors after the study and a lower incidence of depression after the trial.<\/p>\n
The study was published in Nutrients.
\nStrawberries\u2019 potential health benefits
\nMichelle Routhenstein, RD, CDE, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian who was not involved in the study, described strawberries this way:
\n\u201cStrawberries are rich in anthocyanins, which make them potentially good for cognitive and emotional health. Anthocyanins are what give strawberries their red pigment. Anthocyanins are a potent antioxidant that has anti-neuroinflammatory properties, which benefit brain and emotional health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Routhenstein noted that other fruits also contain anthocyanins, such as blueberries, blackberries, bilberries, black currants, and mulberries.
\nFor many, the only strawberries available during much of the year are frozen.<\/p>\n
This should not be a concern, according to Routhenstein:
\n\u201cFrozen strawberries are as nutritious as fresh strawberries, and oftentimes may be tastier and more convenient to consume given their seasonal nature. It is best to thaw them naturally, like in the refrigerator overnight, to avoid destroying the vitamin C content when it is exposed to heat, such as when microwaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Can strawberries protect against cognitive decline?
\nThe study\u2019s authors hypothesize that the benefit of strawberries\u2019 anthocyanins lies in their anti-inflammatory nature and that this reduction in inflammation and a decrease in oxidative stress may be protective against cognitive decline.<\/p>\n
Neurologist Dr. Clifford Segil was skeptical: \u201cIt\u2019s very hard as a clinical neurologist to say that food that\u2019s going to be anti-inflammatory is going to protect you from memory loss.\u201d This is \u201cbecause we give people Motrin, Advil, and Alleve, which are anti-inflammatory medications.\u201d
\n\u201cIf those don\u2019t protect you against memory loss, how is a smart anti-inflammatory food going to affect you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStrawberries sounds nice.\u201d Dr. Segil added. \u201cBut it\u2019s challenging to say that it would be neuroprotective.\u201d
\nDr. Segil said that studies such as this cross his desk all the time: \u201cMy favorite study to date has been one on syrups and how maple syrups are protectiveTrusted Source. My children love syrup, and I only wish it was neuroprotective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, there is some researchTrusted Source that has found an association between strawberries and a reduced risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease\u2019s characteristic tau tangles with the consumption of strawberries and their bioactive compound, pelargonidin.<\/p>\n
How strawberries may affect mood
\nSimilarly, Dr. Segil hypothesizes that the beneficial effect of strawberries on mood has less to do with anthocyanins and more to do with something simpler.<\/p>\n
Noting that the participants in the study had overweight, he proposed:
\n\u201cStrawberries and these kinds of foods may decrease weight, and if people are eating healthier food, they may not be exposed to unhealthy foods, and that may increase patients feeling happy because they\u2019re eating healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Segil added, \u201cAs a neurologist, I most commonly advise people to increase eating foods like strawberries and blueberries when patients are constipated, because it\u2019s also a stool softener. So the most direct benefit that I clinically tell people to increase their berry intake for is for the softening of their stool, which can also have health benefits, but that is not a direct neurological benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (Online): Middle-aged adults with overweight and insulin resistance who consumed strawberries for 12 weeks reported a reduction in memory interference and depression, according to a new study. With cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, developing slowly over a period of years beginning […]<\/p>\n
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