Navigation
The effects of acute wild blueberry supplementation on the cognition of 7-10-year-old schoolchildren
In this 2019 randomized trial, 54 healthy children were given either a wild blueberry drink or a matched placebo drink. Blueberries are rich in flavonoids, which are linked with enhanced cognitive function over time. In the past this high-flavonoid blueberry drink has shown ability to improve executive function (EF), short-term memory, and mood in 7–10-year-old children. The aim of this present trial was to check whether this blueberry drink influences the children’s reading efficiency. The Test of Word Reading Efficiency-2 (TOWRE-2) was used to assess reading efficiency at baseline and 2 hours post-consumption. The wild blueberry drink group showed significantly quicker reaction times and better verbal memory performance, when compared with those who received placebos. Although the boost in cognitive performance is evident in the wild blueberry group, there was no marked difference between the two groups in terms of reading ability. The intervention drink containing 240 grams of fresh blueberries provided the children with acute cognitive benefits. Flavonoid-rich products are good for healthy brain function especially during important developmental periods. But the results suggest that the wild blueberry drink may not be enough to positively affect reading efficiency. Future studies should consider longer administration of the blueberry drink and using more sensitive reading measures. [NPID: reading, cognition, blueberry, flavonoids, children, brain, memory, attention]
Year: 2019
