The UK’s Press Association (8/23) reported, “Eating berries may combat age-related mental decline by ‘cleaning up’ the brain” according to research presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston. “Scientists have found the first evidence that polyphenol compounds in the fruits activate the brain’s natural ‘housekeeping’ mechanism.” The polyphenolic compounds found in berries appear to help “special immune system cells in the brain called microglia which engulf, remove and recycle harmful biochemical debris.”
The UK’s Telegraph (8/23, Adams) reported, “Eating fruits with deep orange, red or blue pigments can even reverse the loss of brain power, according to a two month study of laboratory rats fed a berry-rich diet.” The UK’s Daily Mail (8/24) reports that “walnuts may have a similar effect.” WebMD (8/23, Hendrick) also covered the story.