Consumption of Anthocyanin-rich Cherry Juice for 12 weeks Improves Memory and Cognition in Older Adults with Mild-to-moderate Dementia

Overview

Journal Eur J Nutr

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2015 Oct 21

PMID 26482148

Citations 65

Authors

Katherine Kent

Karen Charlton

Steven Roodenrys

Marijka Batterham

Jan Potter

Victoria Traynor

Hayley Gilbert

Olivia Morgan

Rachelle Richards

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Dietary flavonoids, including anthocyanins, may positively influence cognition and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of dementia. We aimed to assess whether daily consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice changed cognitive function in older adults with dementia. Blood pressure and anti-inflammatory effects were examined as secondary outcomes.

Methods: A 12-week randomised controlled trial assessed cognitive outcomes in older adults (+70 year) with mild-to-moderate dementia (n = 49) after consumption of 200 ml/day of either a cherry juice or a control juice with negligible anthocyanin content. Blood pressure and inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) were measured at 6 and 12 weeks. ANCOVA controlling for baseline and RMANOVA assessed change in cognition and blood pressure.

Results: Improvements in verbal fluency (p = 0.014), short-term memory (p = 0.014) and long-term memory (p ≤ 0.001) were found in the cherry juice group. A significant reduction in systolic (p = 0.038) blood pressure and a trend for diastolic (p = 0.160) blood pressure reduction was evident in the intervention group. Markers of inflammation (CRP and IL-6) were not altered.

Conclusion: Inclusion of an anthocyanin-rich beverage may be a practical and feasible way to improve total anthocyanin consumption in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia, with potential to improve specific cognitive outcomes.

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