Flavonoids present in berries offer benefits in cognition

Flavonoids, particularly anthocyanidins, are compounds found in plants like blueberries and strawberries which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and are believed to mitigate cognitive impairment. Dr. Elizabeth Devore, of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and colleagues conducted a study on the effect of high intake of berries on cognition. The team used data from the Nurses' Health Study wherein 121,700 female registered nurses were tracked from 1976 to 2001. Results showed that high and long term consumption of blueberries and strawberries delayed cognitive decline by up to 2.5 years and reduced cognitive degeneration in elderly women. A greater intake of anthocyanidins and total flavonoids was also associated with reduced cognitive degeneration.