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.
View More Free Articles
Is THIS Fat LIE Making You SICK?
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, The message has been received loud and clear: “Fat is BAD!” Conventional medicine has been preaching the anti-fat message for decades now. We’ve been told we should avoid it… That eating “too much” fat will make US fat… And that fat on our bodies triggers disease and death… Here’s the...
Tasty Hack SUPERCHARGES Gut Health
One day, we’ll look back at our discovery of the nervous system in our guts in much the same way as other giant leaps in medicine like germ theory, vaccinations, and antibiotics. Knowing it exists and how important it is has changed EVERYTHING. We now understand that the enteric nervous system, or our “second brain”...
BRIGHT IDEA Stops Colon Cancer in Its Tracks
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, One thing no one ever thinks to warn you about a cancer diagnosis is the RUSH. While you’re still trying to process the news that you have cancer, you’re already asked to make decisions about your treatments. You’re told there’s no time to waste. And warned delays could lead to...
MAILBAG: The Startling Truth About Sugar
“I’m diabetic and I don’t quite understand the differences in sugar. There’s sugar you make cookies with but also fruits have sugar. Can I have fruits even though they have sugar too?” – Annette, from Helen, GA Hi Annette, For something that seems so simple, sugar sure gets complicated very quickly. That table sugar you...
Prostate Cancer Treatment MAKES WAVES (Side-Effect-Free!)
I’m not going to pull any punches here. Getting a prostate cancer diagnosis is downright terrifying. And that’s especially true because for YEARS there weren’t any remarkable advancements in the treatments for this cancer. Watchful waiting (active surveillance) was the best we could do for men with small tumors that didn’t appear aggressive. And for...
Top COVID Symptoms Have Changed (SURPRISING!)
We’ve lived with COVID-19 for nearly three years now. That means we KNOW what it looks like, right? Wrong. The dominant COVID strain infecting people today doesn’t look exactly like the one that infected people last year. The virus is constantly changing. And so are the symptoms when you catch it. Different COVID strains appear...
NSAID Pain Relievers: A SHOCKING Discovery
My excellent editor told me the other day that she gave in and took some naproxen for her psoriatic arthritis pain. And she’s not alone. Occasionally even people who are passionate about natural medicine turn to over-the-counter or prescription drugs for pain relief. After all, joint pain can be downright debilitating. But before you reach...
Fake Meat Hiding a Dangerous Secret? (Study)
People ask me all the time what I think about meat substitutes. My reply is simple: “They’re junk!” The labels claim that these fake meats are better for your health and the environment. But nothing could be further from the truth… If you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you know I’m constantly warning you...
Simple Trick Dramatically Slows Memory Loss
Ask a group of middle-aged people about their biggest fear, and they will almost universally say, “losing their minds.” And I agree. The thought of my precious memories fading away is at the top of MY “no thanks” list. But just wanting your brain to be healthy isn’t enough. You have to work at protecting...
MAILBAG: The DISTURBING Truth About Alzheimer's Drugs
“What’s your take on the drugs for Alzheimer’s?” – Timothy, from Bel Air, MD Hi Timothy, Let me make it simple: They’re junk. You’ve seen the breathless headlines, I’m sure. After all, they’re almost impossible to ignore! They make exciting claims like “New breakthrough in Alzheimer’s Treatment Is a Game Changer!” or “FINALLY an Alzheimer’s...