Berry Good News!

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:00 pm

Hi All!

Keep on eating those blueberries and strawberries!

A NASA-funded study at Tufts U. and the U. of MD has found that berries may protect against brain damage......may reverse or retard the normal age-related decline in brain function....at least in aging rats.

The polyphenol pigments in blueberries and strawberries are among the most powerful chemicals in plant foods. And they have overlapping but distinct differences. Strawberries helped aging rats to master maze tests, while blueberries improved reversal learning (behavior that is initially rewarded is later punished and vice versa). Of course, humans are not rats, so we don't know if the same effects will hold true for us, BUT......it is further evidence that eating those COLORFUL foods may be extremely important for overall health and aging.

Love,

Polly

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:51 am

Hmmm....I eat a lot of berries (and other fruit for that matter) and seem to be getting more scatterbrained every day! Of course I think that has something to do with too much going on in my life...

Blueberries and strawberries are two of my favorites. Going berry picking with both my grandmothers is a cherished memory. My mom's mom would take the blueberries and make "blueberry delight". Basically blueberries cooked into a sauce and put on vanilla ice cream! And my Dad's mom always made blueberry pancakes and pies after a berry picking outing. YUMMY!

Katy

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 4:48 pm

I knew I eat all those blueberries for a reason. Thanks Polly Love Oma

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:27 am

Polly, is it time for another smoothie?

Thanks for the info - oh, BTW any news about things that may keep the brain young is good news, right? So bring it on! Thanks!

Karen