In a new study, researchers found that Montmorency tart cherry juice may help improve cognitive performance in older people
The research was conducted by a team from the University of Delaware.
Montmorency tart cherry juice has long been coveted by gout sufferers, athletes for exercise recovery, and those seeking a good night’s sleep.
In the new study, the researchers found a daily intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improved memory scores among adults aged 65 to 73 years.
They tested 34 people who drank either 16 ounces (480 mL) of Montmorency tart cherry juice or the same amount of a placebo drink, half in the morning and half in the evening, every day for 12 weeks.
All participants were generally healthy (not heavy smokers, no prior diagnosis of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, psychiatric disorders, etc.), and they were not taking any medications that could affect brain function.
In addition, these people were asked to maintain their regular diet and physical activity levels for the duration of the study.
Before and after the 12-week study, the team analyzed cognitive function and memory using questionnaires and tests.
They found after 12 weeks, people who drank Montmorency tart cherry juice exhibited improved scores in both cognitive function and memory.
The tart cherry group showed a 5% increase in satisfaction with their ability to remember things, a 4% reduction in movement time, and a 23% reduction in errors made during a memory task compared to people who drank a placebo juice.
These people also showed a 3% improvement in visual attention and an 18% reduction in errors made during a spatial memory task.
The team explains that the beneficial effects of tart cherries may be related to the bioactive compounds they possess, which include polyphenols, anthocyanins, and melanin.
They may also be related to tart cherry’s potential blood-pressure-lowering effects. Previous research has shown that blood pressure can influence blood flow to the brain.
The team suggests drinking tart cherry juice twice a day was a manageable addition to older people’s daily routine.
Montmorency tart cherries are the most common tart cherries grown in the U.S.
The lead author of the study is Sheau Ching Chai, assistant professor of behavioral health and nutrition at the University of Delaware.
The study is published in the journal Food & Function.
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