Getting Forgetful? Then Blueberries May Hold The Key

Science Daily ^ | 4-12-2008 | The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry.

[blam]

Getting Forgetful? Then Blueberries May Hold The Key

ScienceDaily (Apr. 12, 2008) — If you are getting forgetful as you get older, then a research team from the University of Reading and the Peninsula Medical School in the Southwest of England may have good news for you

They have found that phytochemical-rich foods, such as blueberries, are effective at reversing age-related deficits in memory, according to a study soon to be published in the science journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. The researchers working at the Schools of Food Biosciences and Psychology in Reading and the Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter supplemented a regular diet with blueberries over a 12-week period, and found that improvements in spatial working memory tasks emerged within three weeks and continued throughout the period of the study.

Blueberries are a major source of flavonoids, in particular anthocyanins and flavanols. Although the precise mechanisms by which these plant-derived molecules affect the brain are unknown, they have been shown to cross the blood brain barrier after dietary intake. It is believed that they exert their effects on learning and memory by enhancing existing neuronal (brain cell) connections, improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal regeneration.

The enhancement of both short-term and long-term memory is controlled at the molecular level in neurons. The research team was able to show that the ability of flavonoids to induce memory improvements are mediated by the activation of signalling proteins via a specific pathway in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls learning and memory.

This innovative research was conducted by a multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. Jeremy Spencer, a lecturer in Molecular Nutrition at the University of Reading and included Dr. Claire Williams, a Psychologist also from Reading and Dr. Matt Whiteman, a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Peninsula Medical School. Dr Spencer commented: "Impaired or failing memory as we get older is one of life's major inconveniences. Scientists have known of the potential health benefits of diets rich in fresh fruits for a long time. Our previous work had suggested that flavonoid compounds had some kind of effect on memory, but until now we had not known the potential mechanisms to account for this".

Dr. Whiteman added "This study not only adds science to the claim that eating blueberries are good for you, it also provides support to a diet-based approach that could potentially be used to increase memory capacity and performance in the future. Indeed, Dr. Spencer's research team plan on extending these findings further by investigating the effects of diets rich in flavonoids on individuals suffering from cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease."

Adapted from materials provided by The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry.

[steveo]

I just want to know what a boo-hooter is.

[OK]

I know that blueberries grow in North Florida.

They must have acid, well drained soil. You just need to get a variety that is suitable for your area.

[Viking2002]

Hopefully, they sold me a variety that is suitable for this area. One would think they'd have done a little research. They'll be going in a bed being built especially for them and two fall gold raspberry bushes, so I can tailor the soil as needed.

[chris_bdba]

“This is cool. I’m planting a pair of blueberry bushes this weekend that I picked up at Home Depot. Any special tips I need to know?”

They like acidic soil. Once in a while mix vinegar and water 3-1 and give to them. I have 5 small bushes now and am hoping for a bumper crop this year. I love blueberries.

[OCC]

I just want to know what a boo-hooter is.

I did to. Its apparently some sort of whistle.

Boo Hooter * Product: Boo Berry 1972 * Dimensions: * Description: In pack plastic whistle * Pictures: Box back

[Viking2002]

Vinegar? That's a unique way of adding acid to the soil, but that should work. I'm trying to get our yard to produce several types of fruit. Opposite the berry bed, we're replanting a new strawberry bed with three varieties - Sequoia, Ozark, and Tristar. We've had a lot of luck with the muscadines we planted a few years back; in fact, they've jumped from the trellis to the roof of the house a couple of times, and we've needed to prune them back. The wife's become a wizard at making muscadine preserves, and this year I think I may tackle making muscadine wine. Back in '00, I'd also put in a 5' Granny Smith sapling in the front yard; about four years ago, it produced it's first apples. Now it's 15' tall, and has it's first full riot of flowers. A good sign as well was all of the bumblebees floating from flower to flower yesterday - I'm anticipating at least one full bushel from it this year.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the pings!

[oprahstheantichrist]

I remember reading that something in blueberries is a dopamine precurser.

[neverdem]

I remember reading that something in blueberries is a dopamine precurser.

Enter (blueberry or blueberries) and dopamine into the query box at PubMed.