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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia. kc582@uow.edu.au.
Katherine
K
Kent
School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
Karen
K
Charlton
School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Steven
S
Roodenrys
Statistical Consulting Service, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Marijka
M
Batterham
Division of Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Jan
J
Potter
School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Victoria
V
Traynor
School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Hayley
H
Gilbert
School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Olivia
O
Morgan
School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Rachelle
R
Richards
D000368:Aged; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices / Q000032:analysis*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D000068220:Prunus avium / Q000737:chemistry
D000872:Anthocyanins; D015415:Biomarkers; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
Anthocyanin; Cherry; Cognition; Dementia