The researchers discovered that it helps you maintain your concentration and performance throughout the day.
Scientific study has revealed that while eating a well-balanced diet is essential for being healthy; some foods outperform the rest in terms of overall health advantages. What about your thoughts, though? It turns out that there is at least a straightforward solution: Eating wild blueberries, according to a recent study, could be one of the simplest ways to give your brain an instant boost.
A recent randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial looked at 35 middle-aged people between the ages of 40 and 65 who were given either one cup of wild blueberries or a placebo for breakfast. They were then asked to perform a series of cognitive tasks that examined their memory and brain function throughout the day.
The results were precise: individuals who ate wild blueberries (also known as WBB) were able to maintain a sustained level of concentration and performance in both sets of tasks throughout the day. Still, those who were given a placebo saw their performance decline as the day progressed. Researchers also noted that the wild blueberry group's correct responses were faster than the placebo groups.
"In cognitively healthy middle-aged individuals, this study demonstrated acute cognitive benefits of [wild blueberry] WBB ingestion, particularly in the context of demanding activities and cognitive exhaustion," the study authors said.
This is far from the first study to discover that wild blueberries have numerous brain-boosting properties. The memory function of older persons at risk for Alzheimer's disease was dramatically enhanced in a 2011 study published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. And, according to a 2007 study, eating wild blueberries daily can help prevent cognitive deterioration in elderly seniors, owing to their anti-inflammatory qualities.
Whether you toss them into your morning porridge or grab a few as you rush out the door, blueberries appear to have a lot of research behind them as a delicious and healthful snack.