In fact, a new study shows that eating just one handful of a particularly potent berry can boost your memory in just a matter of weeks. Even better? It can lower your LDL or “bad” cholesterol at the same time.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started with this health-boosting berry secret.
The humble cranberry has a role in just about every American’s life. Cranberry relish is a key ingredient to any Thanksgiving Day spread, dried cranberries are sprinkled on salads everywhere and a cranberry juice with soda is the non-alcoholic drink of choice for many.
Now, according to new research from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, this tiny berry could be the best way to keep your mind razor-sharp and your heart healthy as you age.
Tiny Berry, Big Results!
For the study researchers examined 60 dementia-free 50 to 80-year-olds. Half of them consumed a freeze-dried cranberry extract powder equivalent to 100g of fresh cranberries daily. They gave the other half a placebo.All participants underwent cognitive assessments during the 12-week study period, including assessments of their memory and executive function. Additionally, researchers conducted neuroimaging tests of the brain and collected blood samples before and after the study. This helped the team assess the impact of cranberries on overall brain function. What the team found was remarkable.
At the end of the study, the scientists discovered that the group of people who consumed cranberries experienced:
- A significant improvement in memory of everyday events
- Increased neural functioning
- Better delivery of blood to the brain (brain perfusion)
- A nine percent decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol – the type of blood fat that negatively impacts heart health and can affect blood circulation to the brain.
“The cranberry group also exhibited a significant decrease in LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, known to contribute to atherosclerosis – the thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. This supports the idea cranberries can improve vascular health and may in part contribute to the improvement in brain perfusion and cognition.”1 Imagine that… a sharp mind and stronger heart with just one handful of delicious berries daily!
How Do Cranberries Help Your Memory?
Researchers believe that cranberries work because they’re loaded with special antioxidant compounds called flavonoids. As Dr. Vauzour points out, the memory-boosting benefits of these powerful antioxidants are backed by a wealth of research."Past studies have shown that higher dietary flavonoid intake is associated with slower rates of cognitive decline and dementia,” explains Dr. Vauzour. “And foods rich in anthocyanins and proanthocyanins, which give berries their red, blue, or purple color, have been found to improve cognition. Cranberries are rich in these micronutrients and have been recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”
How to Take Advantage of the Science
This study shows that getting a one-cup dose of fresh cranberries – or the equivalent – daily, can help you stop dementia and protect your heart.Of course, adding this tiny berry to your diet isn’t always so easy because of its distinct sharp taste. One way to do it is to blend fresh cranberries into a smoothie. You can also drink pure cranberry juice, just avoid the sugar-laden cranberry juice cocktail products. These are often mixed with other high-sugar juices or added sugars and don’t favor your health. You can also try dried cranberries as a snack or mixed in with your favorite nuts in a do-it-yourself trail mix.
If eating cranberries doesn’t appeal to you, then you can take a cranberry extract supplement. You can find a wide variety of cranberry supplements at your local health food store or through an online retailer.
