What have I been telling you about berries? (LINK)
April 22nd 2008 09:38
Signature Tune
Chemically, oxidation is the same process that rusts iron and makes sliced apples turn brown when exposed to the air. In living tissue, such as the brain, oxidation damages living cells.
Fortunately, there are other chemical compounds in nature that fight against or protect against oxidation. These compounds are called antioxidants, and there is now accumulating evidence that various antioxidants can help protect against the cognitive deficits observed in aging. Some of the most powerful and effective antioxidants, called flavonoids, are found in brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, particularly berries.
In the laboratory, mice fed standard diets supplemented with extracts from strawberry, blueberry, or spinach show much slower age-related cognitive decline than mice fed standard diets without these supplements. In other studies, aged mice fed blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, or grape extract show better balance and coordination than their peers who did not receive these extracts. There is even evidence that such extracts may help protect the brain against the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. In at least one study, the benefits appeared within 24 hours after consumption of blueberry extract.
And in humans? There is no good reason to believe the same plant-derived chemicals that protect the aging mouse brain would not have similar benefits for the aging human brain. Several studies are now providing reasonable evidence that people who regularly eat two or more daily servings of antioxidant-containing fruits or vegetables show less age-related cognitive decline than people who less than one complete serving per day. Interestingly, dietary supplements (such as vitamin pills containing the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta-carotene), don’t seem to provide the same benefit as the whole foods do – which suggests that the fruits and vegetables may contain multiple naturally-occurring chemicals that work together for maximal effect.
This is from the site linked at the top.
There's more there, if you are interested, but this should get you started or re-inforce what you're already doing.
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