Editor's Note
Cognitive decline and memory problems are complex and multifactorial; researchers continue to search for effective interventions. Epidemiological studies have shown an association between high dietary intake of flavonoids and slower rates of cognitive decline and dementia. Foods rich in anthocyanins, the flavonoid compounds that give the red, purple, and blue color to fruits and vegetables like grapes and blueberries, have been reported to improve cognition; there is increasing research interest and emerging clinical evidence related to cognitive function and a variety of flavonoid rich botanicals.
Researchers here report results of a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel intervention study evaluating the impacts of supplementation with freeze-dried cranberry powder on cognitive health parameters in healthy older adults (50–80 years). Cognitive performance and brain health were assessed using a battery of cognitive tests in combination with comprehensive biochemical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments. Authors here report that daily supplementation with freeze-dried cranberry extract (equivalent to one cup of fresh cranberries) led to significant improvements in episodic memory performance, which coincided with increased perfusion of key neural areas which support cognition in older adults.
Researchers suggest future studies investigating whether these changes translate to a clinical population of cognitively impaired adults in the context of neurodegenerative conditions such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia are warranted based on the findings reported here that sustained intake of cranberry over a 12-week period produced significant improvements in memory and neural function in older adults who were cognitively healthy.
