LIFESTYLE NEWS - A study by the University of Exeter found that drinking concentrated blueberry juice improves brain function in older people.

While carrying out cognitive tests, healthy people aged 65 to 77 who drank concentrated blueberry juice every day showed improvements in:

Cognitive function
• Blood flow to the brain
There was also evidence suggesting improvement in working memory.

Only 30ml a day
Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

"Our cognitive function tends to decline as we get older, but previous research has shown that cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods,” says Dr Joanna Bowtell, head of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter.

"In this study, we have shown that with just 12 weeks of consuming 30ml of concentrated blueberry juice every day, brain blood flow, brain activation and some aspects of working memory were improved in this group of healthy older adults."

Fruit and veg lessens risk of dementia

Previous research has shown that risk of dementia is reduced by higher fruit and vegetable intake, and cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods.

Flavonoids, which are abundant in plants, are likely to be an important component in causing these effects.

Source: University of Exeter via Sciencedaily.com