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Effects of a mixed berry beverage on cognitive functions and cardiometabolic risk markers; A randomized cross-over study in healthy older adults
This 2017 randomized crossover study examined the effect of consuming a berry beverage every day for a period of 5 weeks on cognitive function and on cardiometabolic risk markers, among 40 healthy older adults (50-70 years old). The subjects were given either a cocktail of berries including exact quantities of blueberries, blackcurrants, elderberries, ligonberries, strawberries and tomatoes, or a water-based control beverage (with the same concentration of monosaccharides, pH, and volume). To determine cognitive performance the samples were investigated on working memory capacity, selective attention, and psychomotor reaction time, while the cardiometabolic markers included blood pressure, fasting blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, blood lipids, inflammatory markers, and markers of oxidative stress. Reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were observed after completion of the berry intervention compared to both the baseline readings and to those individuals who were assigned to consume the control drink. The berry intervention group performed better in the working memory test compared to the control beverage group, while no significant effects in the other variables were observed. Among the subjects in the control group, glucose concentrations were greater and insulin levels appeared to be higher compared to baseline, while also the rise in insulin exceeded that of the berry group. The results suggested berries may have the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and associated cognitive decline. Since the berry beverage contained dietary fiber (DF) and polyphenol and the control beverage lacked these components, Nilsson et al. (2017) hypothesized that the beneficial effects observed could be linked to DF and polyphenols. [NPIDs: aging, elderly, cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorders, dementia, cognition, blueberries, blackcurrants, elderberries, ligonberries, strawberries, tomatoes, memory capacity, selective attention, reaction time, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, blood lipids, inflammation, oxidative stress]
Year: 2017
