May 2, 2024

Sweet Science: Eating Strawberries Could Help Prevent Dementia and Depression

A recent research study shows that strawberries, taken in daily for 12 weeks, can enhance memory and lower depressive signs in middle-aged, overweight adults. This improvement is attributed to the anti-inflammatory impacts of anthocyanins in strawberries, highlighting the fruits role in cognitive health.
Improvements seen in executive cognitive control and emotional coping following strawberry intake.
A brand-new research study published in the peer-reviewed science journal Nutrients shows daily intake of strawberries for 12 weeks minimized disturbance in memory and depressive symptoms amongst middle-aged, obese grownups with self-reported mild cognitive decrease.
Understanding Dementia and Dietary Impact
” Dementia is a general term that consists of various diseases, all without remedies,” says Robert Krikorian, Ph.D., principal detective and teacher in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center. “It is unclear when or if efficient therapy will be offered; prevention and mitigation through dietary and lifestyle options is currently the best approach we have.”

Methodology and Participant Profile
One group received a strawberry powder prepared from entire fruit that had actually been desiccated, freeze-dried, and milled. Daily servings of strawberry and control powder were sealed in packets for the benefit of the participants and to manage day-to-day dosage.
Strawberries are highly nutritious and use a variety of health benefits. They are especially rich in vitamin C, offering 100% of the day-to-day requirement in just a single cup. This makes them exceptional for supporting the immune system and skin health. Strawberries also consist of heart-healthy nutrients like folate and potassium, which contribute to cardiovascular health.
Each package of strawberry powder consisted of 13 grams, offering 36.8 milligrams anthocyanins obtained from 130 grams whole fruit and equivalent to about 1 cup entire fresh strawberries. Individuals were also asked to discontinue usage of all berry fruits, juices, and extracts for the period of the research study. This was done to reduce the prospective confound associated to a group distinction in usage of berry products in the background diet plan.
Research Study Rationale and Target Group
” We desired to deal with a middle-aged, obese population as dementia is a condition that is believed to establish over a period of decades. Additionally, inflammation is likely a contributing element associated to metabolic disorders such as overweight/obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes,” describes Krikorian.
Findings and Implications
Particularly, the findings reveal that after the 12-week intervention, participants who were provided the whole fruit strawberry powder made less intrusion errors throughout a word list discovering task (e.g., remembering/repeating words not included in the knowing job). Furthermore, participants who were offered the entire fruit strawberry powder reported lower levels of depressive symptoms which implies enhanced psychological coping abilities.
Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries
In addition to providing polyphenols, strawberries give many bioactive substances. Strawberries provide 100% of our everyday vitamin C requires in single, 1-cup serving and consist of heart-healthy nutrients like folate, potassium, fiber, phytosterols, and polyphenols.
Future of Polyphenol Research
” We are excited with these findings and the future of polyphenol research study,” says Chris Christian, senior vice president at the California Strawberry Commission.
” The link between strawberry consumption and brain health has actually been well explored in both population-based and scientific research studies. Strawberries and pelargonidin, a biochemical mainly found in strawberries, were associated with a reduced threat of Alzheimers dementia in research studies performed at Rush University. And, long-lasting observational studies, consisting of the Health Professionals Study and the Nurses Health Study, discovered that strawberry consumers had lower rates of cognitive decline,” describes Christian.
For more on this study, see Eating Strawberries Every Day Could Reduce Risk of Dementia.
Recommendation: “Early Intervention in Cognitive Aging with Strawberry Supplementation” by Robert Krikorian, Marcelle D. Shidler and Suzanne S. Summer, 18 October 2023, Nutrients.DOI: 10.3390/ nu15204431.
Financing: California Strawberry Commission.

Strawberries also consist of heart-healthy nutrients like folate and potassium, which contribute to cardiovascular health.
Each package of strawberry powder consisted of 13 grams, supplying 36.8 milligrams anthocyanins derived from 130 grams entire fruit and comparable to about 1 cup whole fresh strawberries.” The link in between strawberry intake and brain health has been well checked out in both population-based and medical studies. Strawberries and pelargonidin, a biochemical mainly found in strawberries, were associated with a lowered danger of Alzheimers dementia in studies conducted at Rush University. And, long-lasting observational research studies, consisting of the Health Professionals Study and the Nurses Health Study, found that strawberry consumers had lower rates of cognitive decrease,” describes Christian.