How Blueberries Help Keep The Brain Young

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 6-27-2007

[blam]

How blueberries help to keep the brain young

Last Updated: 2:04am BST 27/06/2007

Blueberries could hold the key to fighting illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, scientists claimed yesterday.

The discovery affects other degenerative conditions that come with old age.

While it is unlikely to cure the disease, it may provide a way to prevent, slow down or reduce the impact of such illnesses which affect the mental abilities but not the physical health of sufferers.

Results of studies, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, found that rats with blueberries in their diets had a slower rate of brain cell loss associated with ageing illnesses than those on normal food.

The research was conducted jointly by specialist institutes in Boston, Baltimore and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The rodents were treated to bring on the affects of an ageing illness, mirroring the symptoms suffered by those with Alzheimer's.

Tests on the rats' brain functions showed those on the blueberry diet suffered less brain cell loss and had better brain behaviour than those on the normal diet.

A spokesman for Elsevier, the publisher of the journal, said: "Blueberries have long been dubbed a wonder fruit. Scientists have discovered yet another reason why the blueberry lives up to its reputation."

Like other berries, blueberries are rich in anti-oxidants, regarded as a key to health, preventing ailments such as heart disease.

Researchers believe that the anti-oxidants in blueberries also help the brain to prevent deterioration of the cells.

[ukie55]

Blueberries are high in some nutrient, which is destroyed by the enzymes in them when eaten raw. If they’re cooked, the nutrient is available to the body, so in this case, cooking them actually increases the nutritional value. For the life of me, I can’t remember the nutrient. Seems that it was folic acid but I don’t recall.

The mind’s going. Time to load up on blueberry jam.

[ukie55]

ping

[Radix]

My mother told me that blueberries would help with my rosacea problem.

I think that she was correct.

Either way, it was OK.....I happen to like blueberries.

[umgud]

I just ate a blueberry muffin this morning, at least I think I did?

[Man50D]

Results of studies, published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, found that rats with blueberries in their diets had a slower rate of brain cell loss associated with ageing illnesses than those on normal food.

Perhaps that's why the demorats in Congress always stay true to their socialist ideology.

[Roscoe Karns]

Thanks for posting this article on strawberries.

[OKIEDOC]

Not near as good as a young or older sexy wife.

Just the lowly opinion of a red state wannabe.

[goodnesswins]

Oh, great....now the price of blueberries will go up...again....we buy frozen ones by the 5lb bag....

[God luvs America]

great!!! another excuse to make more blueberry pie this summer!

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[editor-surveyor]

Yep, blueberries, sardines, and grass-fed beef fat.

I’m convinced that the reason that the duck-tors try to get people off of beef is because they make more money that way.

[dennisw]

TRANSLATION:
Very soon your health food store will have a $20 bottle of blueberry pills with the active ingredient in very large quantiles. More so than in nature. Nutraceuticals is what this is called

Mostly ridiculous, just eat you vegetables

[maine-iac7]

Made blueberry pie today.

They are also beneficial for eyes - and the effect is almost immediate.

Also said to be good to help ward off age-related Macular Degeneration - as are Bilberries, an English name for huckleberries - a cousin of blueberries - that usually grow with blueberries. (got that? LOL)

It’ll be blueberry time in Maine next month - got my rake ready/

[GATOR NAVY]

My BIL grows blueberries in Maine. I’m sure this study will make him happy.

[libbylu]

eggs and blueberries are supposed to be a power breakfast for the brain.

[dennisw]

Bilberry benefit : 

Bilberry Extract, also referred to as blueberry, is a potent extract yielding key bioflavonoids and antioxidants called anthocyanosides, anthocyanins 

Blueberry ranked #1 by researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center when comparing antioxidant activity to 40 other vegetables and fruits. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radical damage that can lead to cancer and other age related diseases. Anthocyanin the pigment that makes the blueberries blue is thought to be responsible for blueberry's antioxidant and anti inflammatory health benefits. Bilberry often referred to as the European blueberry contains anthocyanin as well.

[Intolerant in NJ]

Excellent articles, wonderful news - just what those of us living in this part of south Jersey which bills itself as “The Blueberry Capitol of the World” like to hear......

[Lancey Howard]

I like blueberries, but I like (the similar) huckleberries even better.
We stumbled onto an area while backpacking the Appalachian Trail (in New Jersey) where there are huckleberry bushes all over the place. You can fill up bread bags full of huckleberries.

[AFreeBird]

Mostly ridiculous, just eat you vegetables

Last time I checked; blueberries were a fruit.

lets see, blueberries or broccoli... hmmmm.... decisions, decisions...