Blueberries improve communication between brain cells: Study found children’s reaction times were almost 10 percent faster

( Natural News ) You may want to encourage your child to eat more blueberries. A new study finds that children who eat blueberries react faster by about 10 percent . The researchers from the University of Reading in England focused on the relationship between blueberries and its effects on the brain. They examined 21 primary school children whose ages ranged from 7-10 years old for about three weeks. To start the study, the researchers gave the subjects a drink containing either a high dose of wild blueberry (about 30 g or equal to about 1.75 cups), a low dose (about 15 g or about 3/4 cup), or a placebo. Prior to that, they tested the cognitive ability of the participants through a series of tests examining their memory and attention. The tests involved watching a range of arrows on a screen and pressing a key corresponding to the direction of the central arrow. The tests became harder as the speed of the arrows changed, where the additional arrows appeared, and whether the flanking arrows pointed in the same or different direction as the central arrow. The study reveals that consuming wild blueberries enhances the reaction time of children by nine percent without compromising accuracy. The effect became more evident as the tests got more difficult. Claire Williams, lead author of the study and professor at the University of Reading, explained that they used blueberries because they are rich in flavonoids . These compounds have been known to improve the brain functions of adults. This fully controlled, double-blinded study is the first to evaluate the effects of flavonoids on the cognitive ability in children, according to Williams. (Related: Blueberries and grape seed extract shown to rejuvenate the aging brain .) Mother Nature’s micronutrient secret : Organic Broccoli Sprout Capsules […]

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