Wild blueberries are one of the most powerful antioxidants for enhancing memory and preserving brain function. It has been demonstrated that blueberry anthocyanins are capable of crossing the blood-brain-barrier and become localized in the memory and learning centers of the brain (including the hippocampus, cerebellum and cortex).  

• Memory Enhancement.  Blueberry facilitates neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) in the hippocampus (memory) region of the brain. The hippocampus is the area responsible for short-term memory. This study focused on blueberry supplemented diets of aged rats. The study found a direct correlation between the increase in proliferation of new neurons and the ability of the aged rats to perform in maze navigation studies.
• Better control of body movements. Aged research rats fed blueberry extract were found to have higher levels of brain neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain responsible for controlling body movements. This was reflected in the fact that the blueberry fed animals had much better neuromotor control.
• Targets oxidative stress and inflammation. Aging of the brain is accelerated by conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation. Bilberry is both a potent antioxidant and has also been shown to significantly reduce the release of inflammatory enzymes associated with neuroinflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are toxic to neurons and can lead to the death of the brain cells.
• Enabling “normal” memory functioning in mice with amyloid brain plaques. Blueberry fed mice with brain plaques performed maze maneuvering tasks as effectively as mice without plaques. Mice with plaques which did not receive blueberry supplementation fared much worse. The research group discovered that blueberry increases the levels of two enzymes (kinases) in the brain related to converting short-term to long-term memory.

 

 

References:

1. Andres-Lacueva C, et al. . Anthocyanins in aged blueberry-fed rats are found centrally and may enhance memory. Nutr Neurosci. 2005 Apr;8(2):111-20.  
2. Barros D, et al. Behavioral and genoprotective effects of Vaccinium berries intake in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Jun;84(2):229-34. 
3.  Joseph, James. Nutrition and brain function food for the aging mind. USDA-Agriculture Research Services. August 2007.