Blueberries may help prevent Alzheimer's, new research suggests

Blueberries, already classified as a “superfruit” for its health boosting properties, could now also help fight dementia, new research suggests.

The study shows the berry, which can potentially lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, could also be a weapon in the battle against Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists say the fruit is loaded with healthful antioxidants which could help prevent the devastating effects of the increasingly common form of dementia.

One study involved 47 adults aged 68 and older, who had mild cognitive impairment, a risk condition for Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati in the US gave them either freeze-dried blueberry powder, which is equivalent to a cup of berries, or a placebo powder once a day for 16 weeks.

Lead researcher Dr Robert Krikorian said: "There was improvement in cognitive performance and brain function in those who had the blueberry powder compared with those who took the placebo.

"The blueberry group demonstrated improved memory and improved access to words and concepts."

The researchers also conducted MRI scans which showed increased brain activity in those who ingested the blueberry powder.

Dr Krikorian said that blueberries' beneficial effects could be due to flavonoids called anthocyanins, which have been shown to improve animals' cognition.

A second study included 94 people aged 62 to 80 who did not have measurable cognitive decline but reported experiencing memory loss. They were tested with blueberry powder, fish oil, and a placebo.

"The results were not as robust as with the first study," said Dr Krikorian.

"Cognition was somewhat better for those with powder or fish oil separately, but there was little improvement with memory."

He said the MRI results also were not as striking for those receiving blueberry powder.

Dr Krikorian says that the effect may have been smaller in the second study because the participants had less severe issues when they entered the research.

He said the two studies indicate that blueberries may be more effective in treating patients with cognitive impairments, but may not show measurable benefit for those with minor memory issues or who have not yet developed cognitive problems.

Now the researchers plan to conduct a blueberry study with a younger group, aged 50 to 65, including people at risk of developing Alzheimer's, such as those who are obese, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Dr Krikorian said the new work could help the researchers determine if blueberries could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.

The results were presented at the 251st National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, California.

Last year, researchers at Reading University found that wild blueberry juice helped improve the memory and concentration in primary school-age children.

Writing in the European Journal of Nutrition, Dr Clare Williams, who conducted the study, said: "We have known for some time that anthocyanins promote healthy brain function in adults, but now we can see the beneficial effects of anthocyanins on a variety of memory and attention tasks in children.”