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Early Intervention in Cognitive Aging with Strawberry Supplementation.
Robert Krikorian1, Marcelle D Shidler1, Suzanne S Summer2
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Nutrients
|October 28, 2023
Summary
Daily strawberry powder intake in middle-aged adults with insulin resistance improved memory and reduced depressive symptoms, suggesting a role in dementia risk reduction. Further research is needed for metabolic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Late-life dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), poses a significant public health challenge with no effective treatments.
- Neurodegenerative disorders develop over decades, with risk factors like insulin resistance emerging in midlife.
- Dietary interventions, such as berry consumption, may influence metabolism and cognition, potentially mitigating dementia risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of daily whole-fruit strawberry powder supplementation on cognitive function and metabolic measures in middle-aged adults with insulin resistance and subjective cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week controlled trial involving overweight middle-aged men and women with insulin resistance and subjective cognitive decline.
- Participants received daily whole-fruit strawberry powder, with diet records confirming adherence to berry abstinence.
- Evaluated outcomes included memory interference, depressive symptoms, executive function, and metabolic markers.
Main Results:
- Strawberry supplementation significantly diminished memory interference (p = 0.02) and reduced depressive symptoms (p = 0.04).
- Observed cognitive benefits suggest improvements in executive ability.
- No significant effects on metabolic measures were detected, potentially due to sample size, intervention duration, or anthocyanin dosage.
Conclusions:
- Strawberry supplementation introduced in midlife may play a role in reducing dementia risk by improving cognitive function and mood.
- Further research with extended intervention periods, larger cohorts, and varied dosages is necessary to fully elucidate the cognitive and metabolic benefits of strawberry intake in aging populations.
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