Are strawberries good for memory? Yes! Regularly adding strawberries to your diet can help promote brain health and delay cognitive decline.
In fact, research suggests that fruits, especially strawberries, rich in vitamin C, anthocyanidins, and flavonoids, can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.
This blog explores recent research on a connection between nutrition and brain health, and offers additional suggestions on how to incorporate more brain-health-beneficial fruits into your diet.
Can Strawberries Help Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s?
According to recent research conducted by Dr. Puja Agarwal and her team at Rush University, in a study of over 900 adults between ages 58 and 98, those who consumed at least one serving of strawberries per week had a 34 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s than those who consumed less than one serving.
Researchers believe that pelargonidin, an anti-inflammatory compound found in strawberries, may decrease inflammation in the brain. These results mirror and expand upon results found by researchers at Channing Laboratory at Harvard Medical School in 2012.
Related: How to Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia >>What Additional Fruits Might Benefit Brain Health?
Strawberries aren’t the only fruit that may help keep your brain healthy. The following fruits are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that may also be good for brain health.
- Raspberries - test-tube and animal studies show that eating these berries may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s, though human research is needed
- Blueberries - eating blueberries daily has been shown to slow rates of mental decline in older adults
- Watermelon - animal studies show anti-inflammatory and brain-protective properties
How Can You Add More Strawberries and Other Berries to Your Diet?
Incorporating strawberries and other fruits into your meals can significantly impact your overall health. To reap the benefits, it’s important to ensure you’re consuming them regularly.
Fruit Tip >> Frozen fruit is a great alternative if you don’t have easy access to fresh fruit. Frozen fruit is often picked when it’s fully ripe and then frozen right away, helping to lock in essential nutrients.
Additionally, many senior living communities partner with nearby farmers or markets to offer fresh, farm-to-table meals, including fruits.
“We collaborate with local farms to deliver fresh berries to boost our residents’ brain health. These berries are incredibly versatile for breakfast, pairing perfectly with oatmeal, cold cereal, pancakes, waffles, Greek yogurt, and countless other options,” said Alaina Hoschke, Registered Dietitian for The Bristal Assisted Living communities. “We understand how important fruit is, especially as we age.”
Related: Better Your Memory With These 6 ‘Brain Foods’ >>
Are Strawberries and Other Fruits Part of the MIND Diet?
The MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, recommends eating ten foods —including berries — to promote brain health and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.
Try including berries and these additional foods in your meals:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Other vegetables
- Nuts
- Olive oil
- Whole grains
- Fish
- Beans
- Poultry
- Red wine (one glass per day at most)
Learn More About the MIND Diet
Ready to learn more about the MIND diet? Find out what five foods to avoid and get simple meal plan ideas in our recently published blog about improving eating habits.
This blog was originally published in 2018. It was updated in July 2024.
