Scientists recently found a natural compound in those scrumptious strawberries we all love benefits the body in more ways than one. Strawberries’ natural compounds reduce the impact of the aging process on the mind. In particular, the most effective compound in strawberries is known as fisetin. This is an antioxidant that seems to slow mental aging.
How the Discovery was Made
Scientists involved in the study relied on a mouse model to mimic premature aging in people who are plagued by Alzheimer’s disease. The finding adds to previously discovered evidence that indicates strawberries’ natural compounds reduce cognitive deficits. Previous studies also showed the consumption of strawberries reduces inflammation in addition to helping the mind minimize the effects of aging.
The latest findings concerning strawberries’ ability to combat dementia were published in Journals of Gerontology Series A. The Salk study was led by Pamela Maher. She served as a staff scientist and senior author of the study. Maher works in the same lab setting as David Shubert. He has studied fisetin for the past 10 years. Previous research by the Salk cellular Neurobiology lab shows fisetin reduces memory loss tied to Alzheimer’s in mice genetically modified to have the disease.
Details of the Salk Study on Strawberries
The Salk group provided 3-month old prematurely aging rodents with a fisetin dose on a daily basis. The dose was given for a period of seven months. Another group of prematurely aging rodents was given similar nourishment without fisetin. The rodents were tested for memory recall and physical ability. The Salk scientists measured and analyze protein levels in the rodents that relate to stress response, inflammation and brain functionality.
Once the rodents hit the 10-month mark, the two groups displayed significant differences. Mice that did not receive the fisetin struggled with tasks involving cognition. These mice showed high stress markers and elevated inflammation levels. The actrocyte and microglia brain cells were excessively inflamed.
The mice that received fisetin did not show considerable differences in cognition, behavior markers or inflammation at the 10-month mark in comparison with the group of mice with the same condition who went untreated. The Salk team did not find any evidence acute toxicity was in mice provided with fisetin.
Everything You Need to Know About Fisetin
The antioxidant fisetin seems to be quite effective at combating mental decline spurred by the aging process as well as strokes and Alzheimer’s. The medical community is in agreement that the consumption of fresh strawberries has the potential to reduce the aging process’s impact on the mind. In fact, fisetin has been used in a number of health products going back to the 1990s. Though there are limited tests concerning the legitimacy of fisetin in terms of enhancing overall health, Salk scientists are adamant it can prevent many age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
It is Time to Increase Your Strawberry Intake!
There is no doubt the medical community will continue to perform additional tests of this important antioxidant as time progresses. At some point, human clinical trials will have to be performed to determine if the results provided by the study on mice outlined above hold true for human beings.
In the meantime, it certainly cannot hurt to increase your consumption of strawberries. Eat strawberries for breakfast, as a side dish during lunch or for dessert. Strawberries are particularly good in smoothies when mixed with fresh bananas. Furthermore, strawberries and other fruits help senior citizens stay regular. Consistent bowel movements become that much more important as you get older.
Consume your fair share of strawberries and you just might do your mind quite the favor. The consistent consumption of strawberries will only help in your push to preserve your mental clarity, memory recall and cognitive skills.
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