A new study has highlighted the beneficial effects of daily wild blueberry consumption on cognitive and vascular function in healthy older individuals. This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The study called BluFlow, investigated the cognitive and vascular benefits of daily wild blueberry consumption over 12 weeks. The study found that daily wild blueberry supplementation for 12 weeks improved episodic memory, executive function, and peripheral vascular function in healthy adults aged 65 to 80.
The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involved dividing participants into two groups. One group received a beverage made with 26 grams of freeze-dried whole wild blueberry powder, equivalent to about ¾ cup of whole berries, or 178 grams of fresh blueberries. The other group received a placebo beverage. Both groups consumed their beverages daily at the same time for 12 weeks.
The study’s results showed that daily wild blueberry consumption led to significant improvements in cognitive and vascular function. According to the researchers, the blue pigment, anthocyanin in blueberries was responsible for the effects seen. The study also found increases in beneficial gut bacteria in those consuming wild blueberries. Thus, the findings build on a growing body of evidence that consuming wild blueberries has positive effects on cognitive performance and vascular health.
