The beneficial effects of berries on cognition, motor behaviour and neuronal function in ageing.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Animal research
PubMed 26392037 · doi:10.1017/S0007114515003451
What was done
Aged Fischer 344 rats were fed either a control diet, a 2% strawberry-supplemented diet, or a 2% blueberry-supplemented diet for 8 weeks. Researchers assessed motor performance, cognitive behavior (specifically working memory), hippocampal neurogenesis, and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or statistical metrics. Qualitatively, rats fed either berry diet showed enhanced motor performance, improved working memory, increased hippocampal neurogenesis, and elevated IGF-1 expression compared to controls. The authors noted that the neurogenesis and IGF-1 increases could not solely explain the cognitive improvements.
Why it matters
This study provides preclinical evidence in a rodent model linking dietary berry intake to cellular neuroplastic markers and functional behavioral recovery in aging.
Limits
The study was conducted in aged rats and findings cannot be directly generalized to humans. The abstract omits sample sizes, exact rat ages, and all quantitative data or effect sizes.
Cited by
- supports Blueberry polyphenols have been shown in scientific studies to improve motor coordination.