Cranberries are healthy – not only for the heart, digestion and intestinal flora, but also for the brain. As a recent study shows, cranberries have considerable neuroprotective potential and counteract arteriosclerosis. You can find out what that means here.
Preventing dementia with cranberries: How the fruit affects your memory
The study shows the neuroprotective potential of cranberries. The research team looked at the health effects of eating a cup of cranberries a day in people aged 50 to 80. The scientists paid particular attention to the effects of 12-week cranberry consumption on brain function and cholesterol levels in 60 cognitively healthy participants. Half of the participants were given freeze-dried cranberry powder daily, which corresponded to around 100 grams of fresh cranberries. The other half took a placebo.
According to study author Dr. David Vauzour had shown in previous studies that higher dietary intake of flavonoids (a type of polyphenol) was associated with slower cognitive decline and the development of dementia.
The study also showed that foods high in anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins improve cognitive abilities. Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins are found in berries, for example, and give them their red, blue, or purple color, according to the study author. The fruit also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
LDL cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis: Cranberries protect you from clogged arteries
In addition to the positive developments in the brain, the study participants also showed significant reductions in LDL cholesterol levels, which are known to contribute to atherosclerosis – the thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a build-up of plaque that clogs the arteries.
Cranberries therefore make a positive contribution to blood vessel health and also improve cerebral circulation and cognitive abilities, the researchers write in summary in their study.
Additionally, independent research recently found that a daily intake of cranberry powder can significantly improve cardiovascular function. For this, the powder had to be taken for just a single month. Cranberries could also protect against cardiovascular diseases.
