Feeling unbalanced? Research suggests that adding blueberries to your diet can reverse the effect of aging on coordination, thanks to the large dose of flavonoids they deliver.
By
PT Staff, published on March 01, 2001 - last reviewed on July 11, 2005
If you're worried that your motor skills are waning with age, try
adding blueberries to your daily diet. Apparently, this tasty berry may
just counterbalance poor coordination.
In a 1999 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, James
Joseph, Ph.D., of Tufts University, found that a diet rich in blueberries
reversed age-related declines in balance and coordination. In the study,
Joseph fed four groups of rats a normal diet, but three of the groups
were also given either strawberry, spinach or blueberry extracts.
Throughout the 18-week study, the animals were tested for coordination,
balance, muscle strength and mental functioning.
Although the groups fed strawberry and blueberry extract performed
well on balance and coordination tests, the rats fed blueberries showed
the most improvement. Results also showed that neuron, or nerve cell,
functioning improved among rats fed blueberry extract. Joseph suspects
the findings are a result of blueberries' rich store of
flavonoids -- phytochemicals that affect cell membranes.
These findings offer hope to those suffering from age-related
declines in balance and coordination, which are often difficult to
reverse. They suggest that nutritional intervention with fruits and
vegetables may play an important role in reversing the damaging effects
of aging on nerve cell function and behavior.
