Want to improve your brain function? Start drinking blueberry juice

London: If you want to improve your brain functions, then start drinking concentrated blueberry juice daily.

A new study has claimed that drinking this juice may help improve brain function, especially in elder people.

According to the study, healthy people aged 65-77 who drank concentrated blueberry juice every day showed improvements in cognitive function, blood flow to the brain and activation of the brain while carrying out cognitive tests.

Researchers said that there was also evidence suggesting improvement in working memory.

Being a rich source rich in flavonoids, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, blueberry is considered good for health and also promotes many health benefits.

Joanna Bowtell, from University of Exeter in the UK said, "Our cognitive function tends to decline as we get older, but previous research has shown that cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods".

Bowtell added, "In this study we have shown that with just 12 weeks of consuming 30ml of concentrated blueberry juice every day, brain blood flow, brain activation and some aspects of working memory were improved in this group of healthy older adults".

For the study, 12 out of 26 healthy adults were given concentrated blueberry juice - providing the equivalent of 230g of blueberries - once a day, while 14 received a placebo.

Before and after the 12-week period, participants took a range of cognitive tests while an MRI scanner monitored their brain function and resting brain blood flow was measured.

Compared to the placebo group, those who took the blueberry supplement showed significant increases in brain activity in brain areas related to the tests.

The findings excluded anyone who said they consumed more than five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, and all participants were told to stick to their normal diet throughout.

Previous research has shown that risk of dementia is reduced by higher fruit and vegetable intake, and cognitive function is better preserved in healthy older adults with a diet rich in plant-based foods.

Flavonoids, which are abundant in plants, are likely to be an important component in causing these effects.

(With PTI inputs)