A six-month study published in Nutritional Neuroscience suggests that daily consumption of wild blueberries may improve cognitive processing speed in older adults with mild cognitive decline. Conducted by a team led by Carol Cheatham, the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 131 participants ages 65 and older. Those that consumed a flavonoid-rich wild blueberry powder daily showed significant improvements in cognitive speed compared to those that took a placebo.

Participants with mild cognitive decline were divided into three groups: one consuming wild blueberry powder, another a placebo powder and a reference group without cognitive issues. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neurological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and event-related potentials (ERP). Results indicate that those in the blueberry group not only improved their processing speed over the six months, but also restored their cognitive function to levels comparable to the reference group. The greatest improvements were seen in participants ages 75 to 80.

The findings highlight the potential of wild blueberries to support brain health and improve quality of life in older adults experiencing cognitive decline. Researchers suggest that regular consumption of these flavonoid-rich berries may be an effective strategy for mitigating age-related cognitive issues.

Hannah Redd is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Medical Medium offering coaching for chronic illnesses at Path 2 Harmony, located at 1182 Boston Neck Rd., in Narragansett, RI. For more information or to make an appointment, call 401-261-4316 or visit HannahReddAcupuncture.com.