Grape, Blueberry Juice Good for Brain Health

CINCINNATIRecent studies have shown benefits of drinking grape juice and blueberry juice on brain health. Both studies were conducted at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.

The first study (Br J Nutr. 2009 Dec 23:1-5) suggest drinking Concord grape juice may enhance cognitive function for older adults with early memory decline. Researchers studied 12 older adults with memory decline, but not dementia in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind trial who drank Concord grape juice for 12 weeks. They found a significant improvement in a measure of verbal learning and non-significant enhancement of verbal and spatial recall. The subjects experienced no effects on depressive symptoms, weight or waist circumference. However, a small increase in fasting insulin was observed for those consuming grape juice.

The researchers implied the brain enhancing benefits of drinking the grape juice may be due to its polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and influence neuronal signaling. They note other studies have shown Concord grape juice to reduce inflammation, blood pressure and vascular pathology in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and consumption of such flavonoid-containing foods is associated with a reduced risk for dementia. In addition, preliminary animal data indicated improvement in memory and motor function with grape juice supplementation.

The same group of researchers also investigated the effects of daily consumption of wild blueberry juice in a sample of nine older adults with early memory changes (J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Jan 4). The findings of this study suggest moderate-term blueberry supplementation offers neurocognitive benefits, including improved paired associate learning (P = 0.009) and word-list recall (P= 0.04) at 12 weeks.

The researchers also noted blueberries polyphenols, most prominently anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Anthocyanins, they wrote, have been associated with increased neuronal signaling in brain centers, mediating memory function as well as improved glucose disposal, benefits that would be expected to mitigate neurodegeneration.