Consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice for 12 weeks improves memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia

Abstract

Richards, R. (2017). Consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice for 12 weeks improves memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia. European Journal of Nutrition, 56 (1), 333-341.Consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice for 12 weeks improves memory and cognition in older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia AbstractPurpose Dietary flavonoids, including anthocyanins, may positively influence cognition and may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of dementia. We aimed to assess whether daily consumption of anthocyanin-rich cherry juice changed cognitive function in older adults with dementia. Blood pressure and anti-inflammatory effects were examined as secondary outcomes. Methods A 12-week randomised controlled trial assessed cognitive outcomes in older adults (+70 year) with mild-to-moderate dementia (n = 49) after consumption of 200 ml/day of either a cherry juice or a control juice with negligible anthocyanin content. Blood pressure and inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) were measured at 6 and 12 weeks. ANCOVA controlling for baseline and RMANOVA assessed change in cognition and blood pressure. Results Improvements in verbal fluency (p = 0.014), short-term memory (p = 0.014) and long-term memory (p ≤ 0.001) were found in the cherry juice group. A significant reduction in systolic (p = 0.038) blood pressure and a trend for diastolic (p = 0.160) blood pressure reduction was evident in the intervention group. Markers of inflammation (CRP and IL-6) were not altered. Conclusion Inclusion of an anthocyanin-rich beverage may be a practical and feasible way to improve total anthocyanin consumption in older adults with mild-tomoderate dementia, with potential to improve specific cognitive outcomes. Methods: A 12-week randomised controlled trial assessed cognitive outcomes in older adults (+70y) with mild to moderate dementia (n=49) after consumption of 200ml/day of either a cherry juice or a control juice with negligible anthocyanin content. Blood pressure and inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) were measured at 6 and 12 weeks. ANCOVA controlling for baseline and RMANOVA assessed change in cognition and blood pressure.Results: Improvements in verbal fluency (P=0.014), short term memory (P=0.014) and long term memory (P=<0.001) were found in the cherry juice group. A significant reduction in systolic (P=0.038) blood pressure and a trend for diastolic (P=0.160) blood pressure reduction was evident in the intervention group. Markers of inflammation were not altered. Conclusion:Inclusion of an anthocyanin-rich beverage may be a practical and feasible way to improve total anthocyanin consumption in older adults with mild to moderate dementia, with potential to improve specific cognitive outcomes.3

Anthocyanin-rich plum juice reduces ambulatory blood pressure but not acute cognitive function in younger and older adults: a pilot crossover dose-timing study

“…This is more than twice the anthocyanin content of regular plums that ranges from 5 to 173mg/100g across harvest years [30]. Previous work from our group has determined the acute effect of anthocyanins provided from a different fruit source (cherries) [15,31]. Learnings from those studies underpins the improved methodologies employed in the current study, particularly with regard to more robust assessment of 24 hour BP and measurement of urinary anthocyanin metabolites.…”

“…Blood Pressure was measured using Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitors (ABPM) for improved monitoring over 24 h in comparison to standard digital blood pressure monitors used in similar studies over a 6-hour period [15,31].…”

“…It has been hypothesized that anthocyanins may exert protective effects on cognition, including memory and executive processing, either through a direct effect on brain function or indirectly by reducing blood pressure [13][14][15]. One of the main pathways linking blood pressure to cognitive degeneration is the decline in vascular reserve capacity which is associated with impaired neurovascular coupling [16].…”

“…One of the main pathways linking blood pressure to cognitive degeneration is the decline in vascular reserve capacity which is associated with impaired neurovascular coupling [16]. Despite evidence from epidemiological and intervention studies indicating that anthocyanin intake is linked with improved cognition [15,17] and a slower cognitive decline [18], the mechanisms by which anthocyanins may exert acute effects on brain function remains unclear and evidence is inconsistent. A crossover study [19] found that high anthocyanin cherry juice consumption did not result in any significant acute effects on a battery of cognitive tests in either younger or older adults.…”

“…Learnings from those studies underpins the improved methodologies employed in the current study, particularly with regard to more robust assessment of 24 hour BP and measurement of urinary anthocyanin metabolites. Furthermore, the QGP juice has a completely different anthocyanin and non-anthocyanin polyphenol profile compared to the Australian cherry juice vehicle used previously [15,31] which may influence its synergistic/antagonist effects on biological activities. Our previous acute trial found that plasma levels of anthocyanin-related metabolites were significantly lower for older adults, but not for younger adults, who consumed cherry juice over 3 smaller servings (3 x 100ml), compared to consumption of 300ml at a single time point.…”