The effect of blueberry interventions on cognitive performance and mood: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Travica, Nikolaj; D’Cunha, Nathan M.; Naumovski, Nenad; Kent, Katherine; Mellor, Duane; Firth, Joseph; Georgousopoulou, Ekavi; Dean, Olivia; Loughman, Amy; Jacka, Felice N.; Marx, Wolfgang

doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2019.04.001

Cited by 77 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 56 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a fruit and vegetablebased extract versus placebo on cognitive function in healthy subjects in non-acute consumption. We hypothesized that an improvement could be achieved in accordance with previous studies although they were carried out in a population with neurodegenerative diseases or the polyphenolic extract used was not composed of a mixture of phenolic compounds [11,[52][53][54][55][56]. The results obtained by other authors with different extracts followed a similar trend [46,57,58], either using melon concentrate supplementation and its influence on psychological stress and mental fatigue, using the administration of soy isoflavones in elderly men evaluating the visual-spatial memory and verbal fluency in the subjects, or in the evaluation of the efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract in people over 55 years of age, where improvements were obtained assessing the speed of processing skills.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable-Based Nutraceutical on Cognitive Function in a Healthy Population: Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, and Randomized Clinical Trial

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is scientific evidence of the positive effect of polyphenols from plant foods on cognition, but not enough is known about the synergistic effect when multiple polyphenols are consumed and even less in a healthy non-elderly population. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible effects of improvements in cognitive function in healthy people as a preparation based on micronized fruit and vegetables consumed. One hundred and eight subjects were selected, stratified by sex in the control intervention group (n = 53) and placebo (n = 55). Volunteers completed the study after two 16-week periods of consumption with a 4-week wash period between each phase. At the beginning and the end of each phase, volunteers performed the Stroop, TESEN, and RIST tests for the measurement of different cognitive function patterns. The results revealed statistically significant differences in all the variables of the tests carried out, especially compared with the placebo. Specially, the results obtained in the Stroop and TESEN test, in addition to the processing speed even with semantic interferences, were markedly better after the treatment with the product under study. Moreover, the consumption of the product under study clearly improves short-term memory, verbal and non-verbal, according to the results obtained in the RIST test. The results showed an improvement in executive function in terms of short-term memory, working memory, selective and sustained attention, and speed of processing.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable-Based Nutraceutical on Cognitive Function in a Healthy Population: Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, and Randomized Clinical Trial

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A growing number of epidemiological studies support a role for polyphenols in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) [14], cancer [15] and neurodegenerative diseases [14,16]. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated the ability of polyphenols to improve cognitive performance and memory [17,18] and, more recently, these results have been replicated in human studies [19,20]. Regarding mental health, a growing body of data from animal and human studies has emerged supporting the role of a variety of dietary polyphenols in affecting behaviour and mood through anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties, mediated through multiple molecular and cellular pathways [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A High Polyphenol Diet Improves Psychological Well-Being: The Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT)

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mental ill health is currently one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. A growing body of data has emerged supporting the role of diet, especially polyphenols, which have anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a high polyphenol diet (HPD) compared to a low polyphenol diet (LPD) on aspects of psychological well-being in the Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT). Ninety-nine mildly hypertensive participants aged 40–65 years were enrolled in a four-week LPD washout period and then randomised to either an LPD or an HPD for eight weeks. Both at baseline and the end of intervention, participants’ lifestyle and psychological well-being were assessed. The participants in the HPD group reported a decrease in depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and an improvement in physical component and mental health component scores as assessed with 36-Item Short Form Survey. No differences in anxiety, stress, self-esteem or body image perception were observed. In summary, the study findings suggest that the adoption of a polyphenol-rich diet could potentially lead to beneficial effects including a reduction in depressive symptoms and improvements in general mental health status and physical health in hypertensive participants.

show abstract

“…Mechanisms aside, what is clear from the research todate is that cognitive benefits of blueberries are tangible, observable effects arising from small to moderate quantities of blueberries. Systematic reviews have revealed positive effects for extracts, juices, and whole berries (usually freeze-dried and powdered) at doses equivalent to 1 cup of fresh blueberries or less (Travica et al 2020;Hein et al 2019). Such quantities are easily achievable within a normal diet, and it is likely that we would all benefit from consuming them regularly, while awaiting further research on the precise cognitive domains influenced, additional benefits of longer-term supplementation, detailed mechanisms of action responsible, and the real-world relevance of the cognitive benefits attained.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blueberry benefits to cognitive function across the lifespan

Bell

Williams

2020

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It is well known that what we eat can influence our physical wellbeing, but interest is also increasing in the relationship between our diet and cognitive health. In recent years, blueberries have risen from relative obscurity to superfood status following a number of published epidemiological studies, rodent trials, and human RCTs, that suggest blueberries may convey benefits to cognition and mood. This commentary explores some of the evidence in humans, particularly during periods of cognitive development in the young and cognitive decline in the elderly. Evidence for possible mechanisms of action are also described. There is little doubt that blueberries convey a small, but tangible, benefit to cognitive function. Effects are seen following dose sizes easily achievable within a normal diet. Nevertheless, further research is needed on the cognitive domains influenced, additional benefits of longer-term supplementation, mechanisms of action responsible, and the real-world relevance of the cognitive benefits attained.

show abstract

The effect of blueberry interventions on cognitive performance and mood: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Cited by 77 publications

References 56 publications

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable-Based Nutraceutical on Cognitive Function in a Healthy Population: Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, and Randomized Clinical Trial

Effects of Fruit and Vegetable-Based Nutraceutical on Cognitive Function in a Healthy Population: Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, and Randomized Clinical Trial

A High Polyphenol Diet Improves Psychological Well-Being: The Polyphenol Intervention Trial (PPhIT)

Blueberry benefits to cognitive function across the lifespan

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About