Two new articles discuss the beneficial effects of berry polyphenols on cognitive impairment

Activ’Inside announces the publication of two new scientific studies, including one review, focusing on the beneficial effects of berry polyphenols on learning and memory impairments associated with age-related cognitive decline.

Spatial learning and memory deficits associated with impairments in hippocampus, a key region of cognitive functions, are commonly observed during ageing. Dietary polyphenols have been suggested as potential supplements to prevent memory decline.

Dr Bensalem, et al. has published a new article evaluating the role of an 8-week polyphenol-enriched diet containing a grape and blueberry extract on spatial learning and memory deficits in mice in the Morris water maze task. The polyphenol supplementation successfully reversed the learning and memory deficits by promoting the occurrence of spatial strategies and the expression of neurobiological factors involved in brain plasticity.

The study concluded that supplementation with polyphenols could be an efficient nutritional way to prevent age-induced cognitive decline.

In addition, in the review, Dr Bensalem, et al. highlighted the cognitive health impacts of major polyphenolic classes found in berries — such as flavonols, anthocyanins and stilbenes — derived from animal and human studies. The review discusses the potential benefits of berry polyphenols on memory impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. It also focuses on bioavailability data, suggesting that most berry polyphenols or their metabolites can access the brain in sufficient concentrations.

Both articles result from an international collaboration between academic and industrial partners brought together in the Neurophenols Consortium. This nutrition and memory research programme is based on 4 years of research to develop, within a pharmaceutical approach, an innovative solution for memory supplements.