Eating flavonoid-rich foods may boost memory

Eating flavonoid-rich foods may improve spatial memory performance, according to a new study in PLoS…

Eating flavonoid-rich foods may improve spatial memory performance, according to a new study in PLoS One. T his is an animal study and more research may be needed to confirm the efficacy in humans.

The study led by C, Rendeiro and colleagues from University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom and colleagues conducted the study in 18 months old rats and found supplementation of pure anthocyanins or flavanols for six weeks at a level similar to that found in blueberry enhanced spatial memory in the animals.

The study found pure flavanols and anthocyanins induced significant improvements in spatial working memory, an effect found similarly when blueberry supplements were used.

Prior research has already shown that "flavonoid-rich foods are capable of inducing improvements in memory and cognition in animals and humans." the researchers write in their report.

Flavonoids are found high in all citrus fruits, berries, ginkgo biloba, onions , parsley, pulses, white and green teas, red grapes, seabuckthorn, and dark chocolate.