Food as Medicine; Blueberries for Dementia

​Dementia entails a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. The disease affects thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. The highest concentration of those affected by dementia are in the older age bracket (65+ years) but it can still affect those in their 40s and 50s. It is a possibility that dementia can be inherited, and even though there is no current cure the client should take steps to decrease his risk in developing symptoms via his lifestyle and diet (Dementia Australia, 2019).
 
Blueberries are part of the Ericaceae family and contain pterostilbene which is an antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory (McCormack & McFadden, 2013). Blueberries contain high levels of phenolic compounds responsible for high antioxidant levels (Huang et al, 2012). Further, anthocyanins have been linked to improved neuronal signalling in the brain which increases memory function encouraging the reversal of neurodegeneration (Krikorian et al, 2011). Numerous studies have concluded that the introduction of blueberries as a therapeutic agent worked to reduce the effect of neurodegenerative disorders. The supplementation proved that effect of flavonoids to the brain was based on extracellular signal‐related kinase, cAMP response‐element‐binding protein, and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and could be correlated to the improvement of spatial‐working memory tasks after blueberry consumption (Williams et al, 2008). This proves that there are enhancements of certain brain functions due the anthocyanins in blueberries that reverse age-related neuronal activity decline.
 
To increase the potency of anthocyanin, non-processed organic whole blueberries that are fresh or snap-frozen and haven’t been stored for lengthy periods of time should be consumed (Routray & Orsat, 2011). It is important to note that blueberries shouldn’t be consumed with milk products as phenolics have a high affinity for protein, and binding to milk protein prevents phenolics from accessing body cells lessening their therapeutic value (Serafani et al, 2009). The daily intake of 148g of blueberries is recommended to have the most beneficial results. Currently, cautions and contraindications of blueberries include the presence of diabetes as blueberries may lower blood sugar levels and change regulation of blood glucose.