Berry Phenolics Are Associated With Cognitive Enhancement in Blueberry- and Strawberry-Supplemented Older Adults

Objectives Research suggests that supplementation with berries may improve cognition during aging. In two recently published 90-day trials, healthy older adults (ages 60–75; BMI 18.5–29.9) who consumed 24 g/d freeze-dried blueberry or strawberry showed improved cognitive function, relative to placebo controls. However, the mechanism of action underlying these cognitive benefits and the role of berry phenolics in cognitive enhancement is not fully understood. In this study, we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with blueberry or strawberry would increase the concentrations of circulating phenolics in healthy older adults and that these changes would be associated with the enhanced cognitive measures observed in these trials.