The Daily Turn On! Blueberries Improve Memory

Did you know blueberries can improve your memory? Just one half to one cup per day may help get your brain up to speed! You see, your brain is highly metabolic, no different than other organs you have, and it suffers from free radical damage. Some scientists believe that age-related decline in mental function is due to a lifetime of free radical hits to your brain. In a Journal of Neuroscience study, one group of rats were fed the equivalent of one half cup of blueberries per day. In other groups, rats were given food extracts such as spinach, strawberries and a "control" diet low in antioxidants. Once the rats reached the age equivalent of seventy to seventy-five year old humans, they were given various memory function tests. All of the groups outperformed the "control" diet-fed rats. Blueberry fed rats were the champions, significantly out-performing the other groups!

Blueberries cross the blood brain barrier much like alcohol does. This barrier is semi-permeable and allows some materials to cross but not others. It turns out that blueberry phytochemicals have a particular affinity for areas of the brain associated with cognitive performance. These blue little gems are super brain boosters as they protect the brain from mental decline.

Turn On Your Brain This Week With Blueberries! Eat 1/2 to 1 cup daily. Then challenge yourself to memory games. Let me know what happens! Life is too short for you not to be at your "berry brain best. (Sorry, just had to say it!)