Eat berries to keep your brain clean

It has been well documented that berries are one of the healthiest foods to eat but recent research supports the fact that berries are very important in maintaining brain health. fresh or frozen strawberries, blueberries, acai berries and other deeply colored berrie, as well as even walnuts, stimulate microglia cells which clean up and recycle toxic debris linked to age-related mental decline. Over time, if the toxins are allowed to accumulate, they will interfere with brain function. These berries contain polyphenolics which protect the brain from biological wear and tear.

"In previous work we showed that supplementing the diets of aged mice with berry extracts improved their ability to process information" -- Shibu Poulose, USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.

Paula Bickford of the University of South Florida was encouraged by the results presented by the American Chemical Society. Bickford hopes that these findings will promote healthy eating and teach individuals that it is never too late to recover your body. "Most of what goes on in the aging brain is a damaging buildup of debris, and it can be removed. It's never too late to start eating berries."

In addition to berries, other deep red, orange and purplish blue fruits and vegetables contain these plant compounds. Look for red radishes, carrots, cherries, cranberries, acai berries, purple and red grapes and plums.

Source: AARP

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