Recent research highlights a simple dietary addition that may help reduce the risk of dementia: strawberries. Currently, about 982,000 people in the United Kingdom are living with dementia, a number projected to increase to around 1.4 million by 2040.
While dementia cannot be entirely prevented, experts agree that a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower the chances of developing the condition. The NHS recommends a balanced diet and at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise weekly to support brain health.
In an exciting new study conducted by San Diego State University, consuming just four strawberries daily showed promising results in boosting cognitive function. The study involved 35 older adults in their 70s who consumed 26 grams of freeze-dried strawberry powder — roughly equivalent to a handful of fresh berries — for eight weeks. Participants exhibited notable improvements in cognitive tests compared to a control group that consumed a fruit drink without strawberry benefits.
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Lead researcher Professor Shirin Hooshmand emphasized the significance of these findings: “This study demonstrates that consuming strawberries may promote cognitive function and improve cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension. We’re encouraged that a simple dietary change, like adding strawberries to the daily diet, may improve these outcomes in older adults.”
Beyond enhancing brain health, strawberries were found to reduce blood pressure and increase antioxidants in the bloodstream, which help combat disease. Participants also experienced a decrease in waist circumference by an average of 1.1 percent.
Supporting these results, a 2023 study from the University of Cincinnati linked strawberry consumption to better memory performance and lower depressive symptoms. Researcher Robert Krikorian explained that improved executive control helps reduce confusion in memory tasks, indicating clearer cognitive processing.
Dementia, an umbrella term for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies, results from protein build-up in the brain. This build-up causes nerve cells to malfunction and die, leading to brain shrinkage and cognitive decline.
While treatments exist to manage symptoms by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, there is currently no cure for dementia. Cognitive therapies can assist with memory and problem-solving skills, but prevention through lifestyle choices remains paramount.
Warning signs of dementia extend beyond memory loss and include changes in reasoning, communication, and behaviour. If you have concerns about yourself or a loved one, consult your GP for further evaluation.