The amazing stone fruit – cherries, are not just a summer delight but are packed with various benefits, which include your cognitive health.
According to scientists, these red, juicy fruits can help protect you against dementia.
Scientists at the University of Kent say that turning this fruit into a powder-rather than consuming it as a juice-can help improve symptoms in those with a mild to moderate form of the disease, which is irreversible.
How do cherries strengthen your cognitive health?
According to scientists, cherry powder has the ability to retain antioxidants known as anthocyanins and quercetin, which are good for their anti-inflammatory properties. “The powder was found to protect against harmful effects linked to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease in laboratory models, underlining its potential as a functional food ingredient,” said lead researcher Dr Marina Ezcurra.
For the study, published in the journal Antioxidants, the team specifically used damaged and discoloured cherries grown in the Kent region of England, which were destined for landfill. They were then dried and churned into natural powder.
According to Dr Ezcurra, powder has a higher biological activity than juice and pulp of the cherries. “Notably, greater biological activity was observed in developing the pulp powder than juice alone, suggesting that consuming the anthocyanin-rich cherry powder may bring more health benefits than extracts or supplements,” she said.
Antioxidants in cherries help protect against amyloid-β toxicity, which refers to the harmful effects of Aβ peptides on brain cells, specifically neurons, causing dysfunction and death, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Experts say this toxicity arises from Aβ oligomers, which cause damage through mechanisms like oxidative stress.
It thereafter triggers memory loss, changes in behaviour and personality, and progressive degeneration of cells. “We have developed an innovative way to turn waste cherries into a valuable, health-boosting food ingredient,” said Dr Ezcurra.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain. It means that it damages and destroys cells in your brain over time. Experts say eventually, those with Alzheimer’s lose some of their brain functions, including memory and language.
Data says Alzheimer’s affects more than 20 million people across the world, with over 10 million people older than 65 having it. Nearly one in three people older than 85 years has the condition. Doctors can suggest treatments to manage symptoms, but there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease affects everyone differently , but doctors say in general, it weakens or completely eliminates your:
- Memory
- Reasoning
- Language
- Behavior and personality
- Spatial understanding
Those who have memory loss or other Alzheimer’s symptoms may have difficulty recognising changes in their own mind and body. These signs may be more obvious to loved ones. Symptoms will get noticeably worse over time. See a healthcare provider right away if you or a loved one have any dementia-like symptoms.