The question asks about the impact of strawberries on Alzheimer's disease risk. Let's break down the answer step by step.
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First, we need to establish the connection between strawberries and Alzheimer's. Several studies suggest a link. One study found that higher strawberry intake was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s dementia (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60–0.96).[1] This means that people who consumed more strawberries had a lower chance of developing the disease. Another study indicated that consuming strawberries may lead to improvements in thinking skills in middle-aged individuals with memory complaints.[2]
Next, we need to identify the specific components of strawberries that might be responsible for this effect. Strawberries are rich in various bioactive compounds, including vitamin C, anthocyanidins (like pelargonidin), and total flavonoids.[1] These compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are believed to improve neuronal function and cognition.[1] The study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that pelargonidin, a compound abundant in strawberries, may be associated with fewer neurofibrillary tau tangles in the brain, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.[7]
Finally, we need to quantify the potential benefit. One study found that for every one serving increase in strawberry consumption, there was a 24% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia.[4] Another study showed that participants consuming one or more servings of strawberries per week had a 34% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia when compared to those consuming none or less than once per month.[4]
Therefore, the consumption of strawberries may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia, potentially due to the presence of compounds like pelargonidin, anthocyanidins, and total flavonoids, with studies showing a reduced risk associated with higher strawberry intake.
Authoritative Sources
- Agarwal P, Holland TM, Wang Y, Bennett DA, Morris MC. Association of Strawberries and Anthocyanidin Intake with Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk. Nutrients. 2019; 11(12):3060. [PMC6950087]↩
- Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Summer SS. Early Intervention in Cognitive Aging with Strawberry Supplementation. Nutrients. October 19, 2023. [alzinfo.org]↩
- Agarwal P, Holland TM, Wang Y, Bennett DA, Morris MC. Association of Strawberries and Anthocyanidin Intake with Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk. Nutrients. 2019; 11(12):3060. [assistinghands.com]↩
- Could strawberries in your cereal, salad or smoothie help protect your brain from Alzheimer’s? Maybe so, according to a new study from researchers at RUSH. [rushu.rush.edu]↩
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