Mailbag! Tiny Berry Boosts Memory

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

You’ve got questions…

We’ve got answers!

These days, it seems like there are tons of foods you should be eating to help boost your brain — fatty fish, walnuts, yogurt, etc. With all of these choices, it’s hard to know which ones to choose. But according to a new study, there’s one type of food you should never skip if you want to boost your memory.

Let’s dive in…

Hey Natalie,

I saw something on the news yesterday about blueberries helping older folks improve their memory. I’ve heard good things about blueberries before. Do you know what this latest research is all about?

Thanks,

Deb M.

Thanks for the great question, Deb. Many folks are looking to diet hacks to help their memory.

And as it turns out, blueberries are a great way to increase your cognitive health.

A recent study shows that drinking blueberry juice could help older folks boost their brainpower.

For the experiment, scientists from the University of Exeter split a group of folks aged 65–77 into two groups. Some drank 30 mL of concentrated blueberry juice every day and some took a placebo during the 12-week trial.

Before and after the experiment, all participants took memory tests and underwent MRI scans to measure the blood flow to their brains and cognitive functions.

After reviewing the results, the researchers were amazed….

Those drinking blueberry juice saw significant increases in brain activity in parts of the brain related to memory.

Even better, they saw increased blood flow and improvements in their working memory!

This means by incorporating blueberry juice into your diet, you could keep your brain firing on all cylinders well into your golden years.

Blueberries contain special antioxidants called flavonoids that help protect the brain from dangerous free radicals and inflammation that can cause memory problems.

But blueberries aren’t the only plant that can help you win the memory game — all fruits and veggies can help out your thinker.

The researchers pointed out that folks who eat five or more plant-based foods a day were excluded from the study, because most plants contain flavonoids.

So if you want to keep your brain healthy, you need to head to the produce aisle or the farmers market.

If you want to try concentrated blueberry juice for yourself, you can find it at natural health stores or through online retailers like amazon.com. Blueberry supplements are also a great option and available in the same places.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Blueberry concentrate improves brain function in older people

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Is Your Diet ACTUALLY Healthy? Here’s How to Tell

I’ve probably uttered the phrase “healthy diet” when talking to patients, family, and friends more times than I’ve had cups of coffee—and that’s saying something! But I’ll admit it’s not always entirely clear what a healthy diet looks like. What does healthy eating really mean? Let’s take a look… Good news—healthy eating doesn’t mean you...

Read This

7 Natural Ways to Tackle Pain Without Pills

On Tuesday, we explored a promising new frontier in pain relief: terpenes, natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that may ease pain without the risks of opioids. That research is still developing. But what if you’re looking for help right now? Good news: You don’t have to wait for a pharmaceutical breakthrough to...

Read This

Mailbag: Pinched to Pain Free with Natural Sciatica Solutions

“I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my hip and groin. I try to do exercises to stretch it. But ever since I slipped on the ice and fell on my left hip it seems to be getting worse. Is there any help for this?” -Painfully Pinched Dear Pinched, I understand how frustrating sciatic...

Read This

New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High

A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD. The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain. And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the...

Read This

"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk

Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...

Read This

Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED

By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...

Read This

Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory

You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...

Read This

Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check

I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...

Read This

Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer

We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....

Read This

Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer

“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....

Read This