SUPERCHARGE Your Brain with a Cup of Blue
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 31, 2022
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Health doesn’t have to be that hard.
Sure, you can go climb 18 flights of stairs with a 50-pound pack on your back if you WANT to.
You can eat ONLY organically grown broccoli blessed by monks if you WANT to.
But don’t fool yourself into thinking that the hard way is the best way.
In fact, research proves that people at both ends of the spectrum (those who do nothing for their health and those who go overboard) are doing more harm than good.
It’s the folks in the middle who fare the best when it comes to health.
And when it comes to maintaining good brain health, I can show you how to get healthy one cup at a time.
I’m talking about eating a cup of blueberries a day.
A new study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that when older adults eat a daily cup of blueberries, they improve their long-term memory and cognition.
In fact, blueberries were such a game changer that the research team found that the study participants were experiencing positive brain changes within hours after eating them.
What’s going on here?
While the scientists didn’t say in the paper, MY educated hunch is that our old friends’ inflammation and oxidative stress are at play.
Oxidative damage is the reason we take antioxidants. They help keep free radicals from damaging our cells and DNA. Oxidative stress and inflammation commonly go hand in hand.
But blueberries contain powerful bioactive compounds called flavonoids that can battle both.
Flavonoids are natural plant molecules found in many colorful fruits and vegetables. There are two major types:
- flavones, found in yellow and orange fruits and veggies
- anthocyanins, found in darker fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and cherries
These powerful antioxidants help control inflammation and reduce oxidative stress in the body. Plus, they boost blood flow, making them a perfect match for better brain health.
You want to get as many flavonoids in your diet as possible, especially if you want to keep dementia at bay. And a daily cup of delicious blueberries fits the bill.
P.S. Blueberries aren’t the only produce aisle pick that can help support a stronger brain. Research has revealedthat fruits rich in THIS nutrient can also help whip your brain into shape.
Source: “Dietary blueberry improves cognition among older adults in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. “Eur J Nutr. 2018 Apr;57(3):1169-1180. doi: 10.1007/s00394-017-1400-8. Epub 2017 Mar 10. PMID: 28283823.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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