Cranberries, long touted for their health benefits, may help improve memory and brain function and lower “bad” cholesterol levels, according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UK). The study, which is the first of its kind, looked at the effects of cranberry capsules on a group of middle-aged adults over 12 weeks. The participants were split into two groups. Daily, one group received freeze-dried cranberry powder, equivalent to a cup or 100g of fresh cranberries. The other received a placebo.
The researchers found that those who took cranberry capsules had significantly lower “bad” cholesterol levels and improved scores on memory and brain function tests. They also found that cranberry powder was more effective than the placebo in improving episodic memory performance. Improved circulation of nutrients such as oxygen and glucose were also found in those who took the cranberry powder.
These findings support the idea that cranberries can improve vascular health, which may help to improve brain perfusion. This could help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
Lead researcher, Dr. David Vauzour, concluded the study by saying, “The findings of this study are very encouraging, especially considering that a relatively short 12-week cranberry intervention was able to produce significant improvements in memory and neural function. This establishes an important foundation for future research in the area of cranberries and neurological health.”
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