Why do many of us wait for the summer desperately?
Strawberries slow down the progression of age-related diseases! Photo by: Bahman Farzad
There might be different reasons as to why people look forward to summer such as: taking a stroll in park, going to the beach, and enjoying the sun. Although, it’s a long wait for summer here in Canada, we would all agree that the biggest payoff for the long haul is the fresh berries that we devour during the summer.
However, most of us might not be aware of the new research which shows that eating berries can be beneficial to the brain. It can slow or prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Scientists in a new article in the, ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, report that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other types of berries has many beneficial effects on the brain and it may help prevent the on-set of age-related diseases. To further analyze the effect of berries on the brain Dr. Shukitt-Hale and Marshall G. looked at cellular animal and human studies. First of all, this review explained that berries benefit people because they produce high levels of antioxidants, which are compounds that help the cell fight off free radicals that cause damage to the cell. Second of all, berry fruits cause a change in the communication between neurons. Furthermore, these communication changes halt the inflammation of the brain which prevents neuronal damage and prevention of neuronal damage improves motor control and cognition.
Although, mechanisms which explain the behavioural deficits during aging are not known, it is understood that oxidative stress and inflammation are seen as the contributing factors of neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases because the brain is vulnerable to the deleterious effects of free radicals, so antioxidants need to be taken to reduce the effects of oxidative stress on the brain.
“The good news is that natural compounds called polyphenolics found in fruits, vegetables and nuts have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect that may protect against age-associated decline,” said Poulose, who is with the U. S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston.
Recent research shows that rats that were fed a two percent diet high in strawberries and blueberry for two months showed less age-related deficits in the nerve function, learning and remembering.
Raspberries! Photo by: Alex
Moreover, Poulose determined that nerve function reduces with age because of microglia, cells that remove and recycle any biochemical debris that would interfere with the brain’s function. During aging microglia do not do their job properly leading to the build up of debris. Poulose explains that berries contain polyphenolics which restore the normal housekeeping function of microglia which slows down or prevents the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
After knowing the benefits of berries we can all look forward to summer for the same reason!!
(Video created by: chappellwellness)
