Becoming forgetful? Remember to eat this fruit
Our brains can go into decline with age, but there are ways to slow this process. There’s one superfood in particular that can help improve your memory.
As the body ages, so does the brain, and one sign that our minds are declining is having poorer memory. Thankfully, the right diet can help fight this slump in brain function.
Enter the blueberry: this superfood has long been known for its many health benefits, and they are particularly known for their positive effects on the brain.
Blueberries: The superfruit that improves memory
Blueberries may enhance brain function and protect against age-related cognitive decline. The antioxidants in blueberries are believed to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert protective effects on the brain, improving memory and cognitive function.
One study on the effects of blueberry supplementation on dementia risk reduction in a middle-aged sample shows that those who took the fruit improved their memory.
Wild blueberries may offer even bigger benefits. These are smaller than other kinds that are usually found in grocery stores and are usually sold frozen.
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These wild fruits pack 33% more anthocyanins than common blueberries. Anthocyanins are believed to enhance brain function and protect against age-related cognitive decline, and may improve memory and cognitive performance.
A study published in Nutritional Neuroscience shows that people who consumed freeze-dried powder made from wild blueberries improved their brain’s processing speed.
According to Scientific American, flavonoids found in this small berry may improve not just memory, but also learning and general cognitive function.
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What are the other health benefits of blueberries?
This little fruit is not called a superfood for nothing. Aside from reducing age-related memory loss, it can also help fight off cancer.
There is evidence that the previously mentioned anthocyanins may help prevent certain types of cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and inducing apoptosis or programmed cell death.
Eating blueberries also promotes heart and eye health, and the fruit’s anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate chronic inflammation associated with many diseases.
The best part of it is that blueberries are tasty and easy to incorporate into one’s diet. You can add it to yogurt, a smoothie, granola, cereal, or even cheesecake, if you feel like indulging.