Daily intake of blueberries leads to specific, measurable improvements in memory and language skills in older adults experiencing cognitive decline, likely due to the fruit's rich anthocyanin content. Digest
Cognitive decline is on the rise as populations age, and while diet has been linked to brain health, few interventions target people already experiencing memory or language issues. Researchers reviewed whether long-term blueberry intake might help preserve these abilities in older adults with cognitive difficulties.
The team analyzed data from nine randomized controlled trials involving 513 participants over age 50. All had some form of cognitive decline, either based on formal testing or self-reported symptoms. Each trial tested at least 12 weeks of daily blueberry supplementation against a placebo.
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Blueberry intake led to specific cognitive benefits compared to placebo, especially for memory and language:
- Episodic memory, the ability to recall specific events, showed a small but consistent improvement, with stronger gains in people who self-reported cognitive decline.
- Language skills, such as word recognition and vocabulary use, improved in those with mild cognitive impairment but were not tested in individuals with self-reported cognitive decline.
- Other cognitive abilities, including speed of information processing, recognition of previously seen items, visuospatial learning, and working memory, did not show reliable changes.
These domain-specific effects may reflect how blueberry compounds act on the brain. The fruit is rich in anthocyanins, a class of plant compounds known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Preclinical studies suggest they can reduce chronic microglial activation, a form of brain immune overactivity that may disrupt memory formation, and reduce levels of pro-inflammatory molecules like TNF-alpha. These changes may improve memory consolidation in the hippocampus.
Overall, the findings suggest that regular blueberry intake could support memory and language in older adults at risk for further decline. However, differences in supplement type, dose, and participant characteristics across studies introduce uncertainty. Larger and longer-term trials with standardized interventions are needed to determine whether the effects translate into meaningful daily-life improvements. Discover more ways to improve brain function in our Cognitive Enhancement Blueprint.