An expert has revealed that eating a simple £1.50 fruit could help lower your risk of developing dementia.
According to Dr Emer MacSweeney, eating more blueberries can lower your chances of developing age-related dementia and boost your memory skills. It is thought half a cup a day will help with your brain health.
Speaking to The Sun, Dr MacSweeney said: “Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation — two factors linked to cognitive decline.
“Regular consumption of these berries has been associated with improved brain function, memory retention and a lower risk of age-related diseases such as dementia.”
The news comes on World Alzheimer’s Day. Around 982,000 people in the United Kingdom are currently living with dementia – a figure that is expected to increase to around 1.4 million by 2040.
It isn’t the first time blueberries have been linked to a lower dementia risk either. A 2022 study from the University of Cincinnati found eating blueberries in your fifties helped with memory retention.
The academics examined 33 obese people who were in their fifties. Half were given a sachet of blueberry mix to drink with water, and the other half a placebo.
Those with the blueberry mix reported a significant increase in their memory skills, they found. Senior author Dr Robert Krikorian said: “The cognitive findings indicated improved executive ability in this middle-aged sample [who had blueberries].
“The demonstration of these benefits in middle-aged individuals with insulin resistance and [subjective cognitive decline] suggests that ongoing blueberry supplementation may contribute to protection against cognitive decline when implemented early in at-risk individuals.”
Dr MacSweeney meanwhile says another change to your diet can also lower your dementia risk. He says cutting down the booze by alternating drinks between one alcoholic and one not can help protect your brain.