Beeren pigments help with cognition, insulin reaction and cardiovascular risk in adults

Although I have to admit that I was amazed to learn about the ability of berry pigments (anthocyans) to improve the insulin reaction, I was not surprised to read about their neurological effects.

During every 5-week intervention period, the participants consumed 600 ml of the berry drink or the control drink per day (200 ml for any meal). The berry drink was made from 150 grams of frozen blueberries and 50 grams of frozen black currants, elderberries, cranberries and strawberries, everything combined with 6 grams of tomato powder (from 100 g tomatoes). The control drink (on a water-based) was similar in carbohydrate content, volume and pH value.

study parameters evaluated

The participants were rated four times during the study, first at the start of the course and then again after each of the 5-week intervention segments. Working memory and selective attention were evaluated with neurocognitive standard test methods. Vital functions were recorded and blood was taken and examined for the following cardiometabolical risk markers: glucose, insulin, homeostatic model evaluation of insulin resistance (Homa-IR), free fatty acids (FFAS), cholesterol, interleukin (il) -6, il -18, malondialdehyd (mda) and oxidized Lipoprotein low density (LDL).

Both the study and control drinks were examined for total phenol content, antioxidant activity, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, fat and pH value.

Primary result measurements

Changes of the parameters mentioned above (cardiometabolic risk marker and cognitive performance) after 5-week consumption of the berry drink compared to the 5-week consumption of the control drink.

important knowledge

participant

Analysis of berry drinks

The berry drinks contained an average of 1,300 mg polyphenols per liter and showed a good antioxidant effect. The control drink had no polyphenols and no antioxidant effect. Both the control and berry drinks contained 2.2 % glucose and 3.4 % fructose. The berry drink also had 0.6 % protein, 0.3 % fat, 1.35 % insoluble fiber and 0.45 % soluble fiber compared to 0 % of all those for the control drink.

Comparison of berry vs. Control group

Five weeks with 600 ml berry drink per day reduced total and LDL cholesterol, insulin and insulin resistance, increased each of these markers for 5 weeks with the control drink. The differences for all of these 4 findings were statistically significant.

The work memory, 30 minutes postprandial, was better after 5 weeks of the berry base than after 5 weeks of the control drink.

practice implications

This group of researchers contained some very nice references on the connection between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome and cognitive expiry. ^{1,2 In some, a reduced cognitive function was actually found, the changes in glucose tolerance were preceded Insulin sensitivity in overweight adults improved and slowed down the cognitive decline in older people. 4.5 Although I was amazed to find out of the ability of berry pigments (anthocyans) to improve the insulin reaction, I was not surprised to read about their neurological effects at all. Beeren pigments can overcome the blood-brain barrier and are highly effective when reducing neuroinflammations. 6 These compounds are able to lower the mirrors of the core factor Kappab (NF-KB) in the brain.}

The researchers used frozen than fresh berries for the study drink. Bill Mitchell, ND, an early supporter of berry pigments, often said that freezing destroyed the cell walls and made more phenol compounds available. While elderberries, black currants and cranberries are not easily available, they are frozen blueberries. You can buy a large bag of it from any costco and every grocery store. While some people were concerned that the Environmental Working Group (EEC) listed blueberries on the "dirty dozen" list, frozen blueberries showed the small amount of found residues on fresh blueberries according to the Pesticide Data Program website (where the EEC receives its list). Consume a cup of blueberries, but this study can indicate that 3 cups could be better if they can be tolerated.

The researchers only used 2 of the many available neurocognitive test methods and after 5 weeks of the berry drink only found a modest improvement in working memory. Neurocognitive tests are available for use in their practice. It is a cost -effective, faster and easy -to -use test that provides a quantitative assessment of executive functionality. With this test, clinicians were able to easily pursue the cognitive improvement in patients through naturopathic treatment.