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Posted on Sep 07, 2010, 6 a.m.
High in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, blueberries and strawberries scrub up toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss and cognitive decline.
Blueberries and strawberries are high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Shibu M. Poulose, from the Tufts University Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues have found that polyphenol antioxidants present in berries help microglia, cells in the brain, to clean up toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss and cognitive decline. Explaining that polyphenolics in berries appear to help maintain proper microglial functioning, the team concludes that: “The results strongly suggest that the benefits of both berries extend beyond the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to cellular toxic clearance through induction of autophagy in brain.”
Shibu M Poulose, Donna F Bielinski, Barbara Shukitt-Hale, Derek R Fisher, James A. Joseph. “Berry extracts and brain aging: Clearance of toxic protein accumulation in brain via induction of autophagy.” (Abstract #60), presented at The 240th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, August 23, 2010.
