New Research on Strawberry Consumption Reveals Surprising Findings – Eating this popular fruit daily may help reduce the risk of memory loss in middle-aged individuals.
Scientific studies are beginning to show that berries can also help reduce the risk of related health issues. In 2022, researchers discovered that incorporating blueberries into the daily diet of insulin-resistant middle-aged individuals (also known as pre-diabetes) could help protect against cognitive decline.
The research team has now expanded this study by investigating the potential benefits of strawberries, exploring whether strawberries can improve cognitive performance—such as long-term memory and task switching—as well as metabolic health, and whether there is a link between the two.
Strawberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which improve metabolism and cognition.
Scientist Robert Krikorian, the study’s author, stated: “Both strawberries and blueberries contain antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which are linked to various health benefits from berries, such as improved metabolism and cognition. Epidemiological data show that individuals who regularly consume strawberries or blueberries have a slower rate of cognitive decline as they age.”
The study selected 30 individuals aged 50 to 65, all of whom were overweight and reported experiencing mild cognitive decline. In the two weeks prior to the study, participants were asked not to consume any berries or berry-derived products.
After the 12-week study began, all participants received a powdered supplement mixed with water to be consumed at breakfast daily; half received a powder equivalent to one cup of strawberries, while the other half received a placebo. They also completed cognitive tests at the beginning and end of the 12 weeks, while mood and metabolic states—insulin resistance levels and cholesterol—were monitored throughout.
Data analysis revealed that those supplemented with strawberries had fewer difficulties recognizing and remembering information and showed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Krikorian suggested that this was due to “enhanced executive function, which helps better control and cope with emotions and may lead to improved problem-solving.”
However, the study found no impact on participants’ metabolic health, either positive or negative. This contrasts with previous studies suggesting that strawberries might have beneficial effects, although Krikorian noted that those studies used higher doses of strawberry powder.
Despite these results, researchers still believe there is a potential connection between strawberries, cognitive function, and metabolic health, with inflammation being a key factor.
Scientist Krikorian explained: “Executive function begins to decline in middle age, and excess abdominal fat, such as insulin resistance and obesity, tends to increase inflammation, including in the brain. Therefore, it can be posited that our pre-diabetic, overweight, middle-aged sample had higher levels of inflammation, contributing to at least a mild decline in executive function. Accordingly, the beneficial effects we observed may relate to controlling inflammation in the strawberry group.”
According to the researchers, future studies will help determine if this is indeed the case and reinforce cognitive results, particularly with a larger number of participants and varying doses of strawberry supplementation.
Despite this, we should also increase our strawberry consumption, as after all, they are quite delicious.
The study was published in the journal Nutrients.
