Blueberry

Are you worried about getting forgetful due to old age? Nothing to worry about! A research team from the University of Reading and the Peninsula Medical School, UK have some good news for you!
A multidisciplinary research team led by Dr. Jeremy Spencer of Molecular Nutrition Department at the University of Reading through supplementing a regular diet with blueberries over a 12-week period found that improvements in sapatial working memory tasks emerged within three weeks and continued throughout the period of the study.
The question is how blueberries work in reversing age-related memory problems? Blueberries are less familiar in our country. Although blueberries are native to North America, they are now grown in Europe and Asia too. These are flowering plants in the genus Vaccinium. blueberry plants are shrubs varying in size from 10cm to 4m tall. The fruit is a berry, 5-16mm diameter with a flared crown at the end and takes indigo colour on ripening. Mature blueberries have a sweet taste.
Blueberries contain flavonoids, in particular anthocyanins and flavanols. They also contain certain other antioxident phytochemicals. It has been found by the researchers of Reading and Peninsula Medical School that these plant derived molecules(of flavonoids) affect the human brain, they have been shown to cross blood brain barrier after dietary intake. As a consequence, they exert their effects on learning and memory by enhancing existing neural (brain cell) connections, improving cellular communications and stimulating neuronal regeneration. Consumption of blueberries lowers cholesterol and total blood lipid levels and control blood pressure. Research findings show that the blueberries are capable of preventing urinary tract infections. Perhaps govt. research stations, private agricultural farms can try to grow blueberries in our country as we have successfully grown strawberries recently.