Strawberry consumption may improve cognitive function in older adults, new study says (Cognitive speed up 5.2% & systolic pressure down 3.6% in 8 weeks)

Medical Xpress / Wild Hive / Nutrition 2023 ^ | July 24, 2023 | Shirin Hooshmand et al

[ConservativeMind]

Daily strawberry consumption was linked to improved cognitive function, lower blood pressure and higher antioxidant capacity in a randomized clinical trial. The study builds on previous research demonstrating the cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive health benefits of strawberries.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 35 healthy men and women, aged 66 to 78. The participants consumed 26 grams of freeze-dried strawberry powder, equivalent to two servings of strawberries daily, or a control powder for eight weeks each.

Following strawberry consumption, cognitive processing speed increased by 5.2%, systolic blood pressure decreased by 3.6% and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased by 10.2%. Waist circumference decreased by 1.1% during both the control and intervention arms of the trial. While consuming the control powder, participants experienced increased serum triglycerides.

"This study demonstrates that consuming strawberries may promote cognitive function and improve cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension," said Shirin Hooshmand. "We're encouraged that a simple dietary change, like adding strawberries to the daily diet, may improve these outcomes in older adults."

Strawberries are a source of many bioactive compounds. In addition to providing 100% of our daily vitamin C needs, strawberries contain heart-healthy nutrients like folate, potassium, fiber, phytosterols and polyphenols.

Previous clinical trials have connected strawberry consumption to improvements in several markers for cardiovascular disease, including reduced total and LDL cholesterol (TC) and lower blood pressure. The link between strawberry consumption and brain health has also been well explored in both clinical and population-based studies.

Strawberries and pelargonidin, a biochemical primarily found in strawberries, were associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's dementia in studies. Long-term observational studies found that strawberry consumers had lower rates of cognitive decline.

[ConservativeMind]

26 grams of freeze-dried strawberry powder, or two servings either over eight weeks, did this in the study.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Delta 21]

In this heat I have been going at the strawberries. Prolly ate 5 pounds of them last week. Yummy in the heat.

[Magnum44]

[z3n]

This study bought and paid for by the strawberry growers association

heh

Maybe it’s true, but I wonder if they used those plasticy GMO strawberries you find at a lot of supermarkets

[Jim Robinson]

Bump

[Sacajaweau]

I've gone to frozen raspberries, strawberries and fresh bananas for my cereal.

I'm 79. I still can't remember what I did yesterday.

[ken in texas]

Yesterday you were posting on FreeRepublic. Hope that helps. ;-)

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I’m guessing Biden is allergic to strawberries.

[Churchillspirit]

Just bought some the other day without knowing this. Must enjoy them even more now...

[AlaskaErik]

I do love my strawberry shortcake.

[sauropod]

.

[Sacajaweau]

Now..I'm trying to remember what I was going to have for lunch.

Thanks for the info... :-)

[devere]

Strawberries are very good. Imagine what you can do with blueberries and cranberries!

[bgill]

I like them dipped in chocolate. Maybe Hershey’s can corroborate the study.

[Cobra64]

Too funny. 👍

[newfreep]

My morning breakfast is...

Oatmeal w/cut-up strawberries
Banana on the side
Skim milk chaser

Coffee before & after

My favorite meal of the day!