Grape juice boosts brain health

Posted on Sun, 13 May 12

The juice of Concord grapes may be able to boost brain function and help stave off dementia according to preliminary research.

Concord grapes have a rich dark blue-purple skin due to their high content of polyphenols which are phytonutrients that may help ward off dementia.

In an experimental study concord grape juice was shown to offset age-related decline in cognitive or neuronal function in rats, suggesting potential for human health (1).

A small exploratory follow up study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that daily Concord grape juice for 12 weeks  (444 ml - 621ml depending on body weight) was able to improve cognitive function in older age adults with poor memory (2).

And in a more recent 16 week clinical study a group of older age adults with mild cognitive impairment demonstrated improvements in cognitive function and greater brain activation (demonstrated with magnetic resonance imaging testing) after drinking Concord grape juice (3).

In all the effects of Concord grapes on brain health look promising so if you want to boost your brain health try adding some dark skinned grapes, preferably fresh, regularly to your fruit bowl. Apples, cocoa, berries, and tea are also polyphenol rich “brain foods.”

References:

1. Joseph JA, Shukitt-Hale B, Willis LM. Grape juice, berries, and walnuts affect brain aging and behavior. J Nutr. 2009 Sep;139(9):1813S-7S.

2. Krikorian R, Nash TA, Shidler MD, Shukitt-Hale B, Joseph JA. Concord grape juice supplementation improves memory function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Br J Nutr. 2010 Mar;103(5):730-4.

3. Krikorian R, Boespflug EL, Fleck DE, Stein AL, Wightman JD, Shidler MD, Sadat-Hossieny S. Concord Grape Juice Supplementation and Neurocognitive Function in Human Aging. J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Apr 9. [Epub ahead of print]