It can be painful watching a loved one struggle with dementia. They may not understand what is happening to them, but you know and miss the old person you knew. The good news is eating a cup of cranberries daily may help fight dementia.
According to a study by Frontiers in Nutrition, people between the ages of 50 and 80 who ate a cup of cranberries a day had improved memory. Healthy people participated in the study. It is not known how cranberries can impact those with dementia, but the study is encouraging. Still, while those eating cranberries had improved memories, their thinking skills did not improve.
The health benefits of cranberries
Eating cranberries daily reduces your bad cholesterol and clears your arteries. More blood flows to your brain as a result. Still, you should not consume cranberries if you are taking a blood thinner.
The best way to consume cranberries
Eat dried cranberries or put fresh berries in smoothies. Avoid cranberry juice. While it is good for your bladder and kidneys, cranberry juice often contains a lot of sugar. Plus, juice manufacturers dilute the juice with water. You will need to drink far more juice to get the same benefits.
Do not expect such health benefits and memory improvement by eating only cranberries. You should consume a balanced diet with whole foods. The supplement lithium can also help.
It is best to eat cranberries with a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, include lean proteins for optimal health.